Joe Biden today welcomes the Emir of Qatar, a close ally of Washington, against the backdrop of energy security in Europe linked to the Ukraine dispute, among other diplomatic and trade issues.
The White House said the US president had already met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani when he was Barack Obama’s vice president, and had contacted him last summer to thank him for Qatar’s departure role. of the Americans and their allies from Afghanistan.
The meeting will discuss the issue of “ensuring the stability of global energy supply”, according to the US presidency, at a time when Washington and Europeans are looking for alternatives if there is ever a shortage of Russian gas in the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Gulf Emirates has huge reserves and is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
A senior Biden government official, however, declined to give the slightest detail on the sensitive issue at a news conference yesterday (local time), stressing that the US is in talks with “many” suppliers.
“Negotiations are under way to redirect gas supplies to Asian markets to Europe if Russian President Vladimir Putin cuts off supplies to Western Europe,” a Qatari official told AFP ahead of the meeting.
“Qatar does not have the ‘magic wand’ to respond to gas shortages in Europe,” said Bill Faren-Price, director of energy consulting firm Enverus. The emirate is at its maximum in terms of production and must fulfill long-term contracts with Asia.
Biden’s agenda for the Oval Office meeting will also include discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and relations with Afghanistan, where Washington’s interests are now represented by the small Gulf country.
Tamim will also have a separate meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mallorca and discuss arms sales and other military issues with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, an official told reporters.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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