The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on December 15. (AFP/JOHN THYS)
Qatar is one of the largest producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world and has been increasingly courted by European countries since Ukraine invaded Ukraine.
The warning from Doha, on the brink of an alleged corruption case. On Sunday December 18, Qatar warned that the European Parliament would have action against it
a “negative influence”
on relations with the gas-rich emirate and global energy supply.
The opening of an investigation in Brussels
Targeting in particular Greek MEP Eva Kaili, who is suspected of having been paid by Qatar to defend the interests of the country currently hosting the World Cup, has rocked the institution.
Thursday in Strasbourg, MEPs
elected almost unanimously
a text in which they “urged the suspension of access permits by representatives of Qatari interests” during the investigation. The decision rests with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. “The decision to Qatar a
such a discriminatory restriction,
Limiting dialogue and cooperation before the end of the court case will negatively impact regional and global security cooperation, as well as
ongoing discussions
to global energy scarcity and security,” a Qatari diplomat said on Sunday.
Along with the United States and Australia, Qatar is one of the largest producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world. It has been like this since Russia invaded Ukraine
more and more courted
from European countries looking for an alternative to Russian gas.
say to himself
“distraught”
through suspected acts of corruption and money laundering, the MPs also decided
“Stop all work
on the Qatar legislative dossiers”, primarily on visa liberalization for Qatar and Kuwait and on an air transport agreement.
Qatar is not the only country named in the investigation launched by Belgium
Qatar ‘resolutely refuses’
The charges against him “regret the verdicts based on inaccurate information uncovered through leaks without waiting for the completion of the investigation,” the Qatari diplomat said in a press release. While it is not the only country cited in the investigation launched by Belgium, it has drawn criticism and attacks
Destination “exclusively” Qatar,
he guessed.
Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola told a journalist on Thursday that she had “held two meetings with representatives of the Qatari government in Brussels”.
have “rejected”.
the Gulf State’s request to address the European Parliament. She also said she turned down an invitation from Qatar to attend the FIFA World Cup, citing her “concerns for that country”.
The Emirate’s alleged involvement in this scandal and the
many controversies about the Mondial
– on the subject of respect for human rights or ecology – did not discourage French President Emmanuel Macron
come to Doha
to take part in the final between France and Argentina on Sunday. He had already attended the France-Morocco semifinals on Wednesday.
In the statement issued on Sunday, Qatar stressed
his “firm” ties
with many countries of the European Union,
to express their “gratitude”.
to those who have shown their commitment to those relationships in the face of the current wave of attacks.” The emirate, however, condemned the
lack of cooperation from the Belgian government,
which he said was a “close” partner and “a key supplier” of liquefied natural gas.