Germany, Qatar sign energy partnership as Berlin seeks new sources

The German government has concluded an energy partnership with Qatar, a collaboration that Berlin hopes will help reduce its reliance on Russian supplies, reported dpa.

The Energy Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Al Thani, and German Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck signed a memorandum of understanding for deeper cooperation during a state visit, Habeck's ministry said on Friday.

The partnership will help Germany diversify its gas supply by sourcing liquefied natural gas imports from Qatar, while also giving a boost to cooperation on "green hydrogen," the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in Berlin said.

The Qatari-German energy partnership will promote "high-level exchanges" between the two governments on energy-related issues and bring together public and private sector players, it said.

Regular meetings between the Qatari Energy Ministry and the German counterpart are planned.

Germany is trying to become quickly independent of Russian energy supplies. Habeck went to Qatar in March in search of securing alternatives to Russian gas.