German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will pay official visits to three Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, later this week to discuss, among other issues, the energy crisis, his spokesman announced on Monday, AFP and Agerpres reported.
The chancellor, who will be accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking representatives from several economic sectors, will alternately travel to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, then to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on Sunday, before returning to Berlin on Sunday evening, Steffen Hebeschreit told a press conference .
At this stage, the spokesperson did not specify what the main topics of discussion will be, but the energy crisis caused by the Russian war in Ukraine will be included among them.
“I would be surprised if this topic wasn’t discussed specifically,” he said.
In Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest oil producer after the United States, Scholz is expected to meet with King Salman “if his health permits,” as well as Crown Prince and de facto leader of the kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman, nicknamed “MBS.” who the United States recognized as the mastermind behind the 2018 assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was critical of the government.
Since then, “MBS” has been rehabilitated in the international arena. “The murder of Khashoggi will certainly play a role in the discussions” with Scholz, his spokesman assured.
Olaf Scholz to hold meetings with several Gulf officials to discuss natural gas supply
In mid-July, he received US President Joe Biden, and at the end of the same month he visited France to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.
On Sunday, Olaf Scholz will hold a meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed bin Zayed, and in the afternoon – with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
In March, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck already traveled to Qatar and the Emirates, trying to find alternatives to Russian gas, on which Germany depended for 55% before the war in Ukraine.
After Gazprom cut Russian supplies, the supply situation for this fossil fuel “will be extremely tight in the coming months,” Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, warned on Monday, which also warned of a likely recession. the first European economy.
Source: Hot News RO
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