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Qatar Threatens EU with Liquefied Gas Export Cuts

Qatar has officially warned the Belgian government that, in response to​ the European Union’s new climate regulations, it may halt​ all liquefied natural gas exports from Doha to Europe.

According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News ​Agency and Reuters,‍ Qatar sent an official letter ‍to belgium threatening that it could cut off all LNG exports to Europe as a ⁢response to the EU’s new climate rules.

Qatar ranks as the world’s third-largest liquefied natural gas exporter after the United States and Australia. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, ⁢Doha has supplied between 12 and 14 percent of Europe’s natural gas needs.

In⁣ the letter, Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi stated ⁣that this decision was made ‍in reaction to regulations known as the Corporate Sustainability Due​ Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Under this law, large companies operating within ‍the EU must thoroughly​ evaluate and address⁤ human rights⁤ and notably environmental issues throughout their supply chains.

The⁤ letter explains: Simply ‌put, ⁣unless⁢ further amendments are made to⁣ CSDDD, Qatar’s government and its ⁢state-owned entity Qatargas will have no choice but to seek choice markets outside the European Union for LNG and other products-markets that offer a more stable and ​business-pleasant surroundings.

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed receiving Qatar’s letter on May 13. As then, EU‌ lawmakers and member ⁣states ⁤have been consulting on possible adjustments to this directive.

Al-Kaabi specifically raised concerns about mandatory ​corporate climate transition plans aligned with ⁢limiting global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius-the⁤ target set by the Paris Agreement.

The letter also stated: “Neither the State ‍of Qatar nor Qatargas ‍currently plans any near-term commitment toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation undermines countries’ sovereign right to determine national contributions toward fulfilling Paris agreement goals.”

News Sources: © webangah News Agency
English channel of the webangah news agency on Telegram
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