Qatar’s energy minister warned on Tuesday (May 23rd) that “the worst (is) to come” for oil and gas shortages in Europe, saying a warm winter had averted greater difficulties over the past few months.
A statement that promises nothing good, especially in this period marked by the war in Ukraine. Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi said on Tuesday that “if the economy starts to get out of control in 2024 because of a normal winter, I think the worst is yet to come”.
The politician mentioned in particular the risk of a gas shortage for European countries, in response to the heavy economic sanctions aimed at Moscow. Russia was, before the invasion of Ukraine, one of the most important suppliers of gas in the West.
“The only thing that saved humanity and Europe this year was a warm winter and the slowdown in the economy,” said the Qatari energy minister, while addressing advice to European countries. If Qatar has sealed various commercial partnerships (advertising, luxury and tourism) with them, the emirate is still seeking to conclude long-term agreements to deliver gas to these countries, taking advantage of the race for the alternative of Russian hydrocarbons .
“If they don’t realize this, if they don’t have a proper plan, if they don’t demonize the oil and gas companies and if they don’t sit down with the producers”, Europeans will have to face a “reality (which) will impose itself”, warned Saad Al-Kaabi.