A senior Qatari diplomat has warned that the EU’s dealing with of a corruption scandal that has rocked the European Parliament threatens to “negatively have an effect on” safety co-operation and discussions about international power safety between the bloc and the gas-rich Gulf state.
Nevertheless, Qatar was not threatening to chop LNG provides to Europe or politicise fuel exports, the diplomat, who has data of the place, instructed the FT on Sunday.
The scandal centres on allegations that Qatar and Morocco sought to bribe EU legislators to affect coverage. 4 individuals have been charged with corruption, cash laundering and being a part of a legal gang after police seized nearly €1.5mn in money on the houses of 1 present and one former MEP in Brussels.
The Qatari authorities has denied being concerned. It has closely criticised the EU’s choice to droop legislative work associated to Qatar however not Morocco, believing it has been unfairly singled out.
“The choice to impose such a discriminatory restriction that limits dialogue and co-operation on Qatar earlier than the authorized course of has ended, will negatively have an effect on regional and international safety co-operation, in addition to ongoing discussions round international power poverty and safety,” the diplomat mentioned.
The diplomat added: “Regardless of Qatar’s dedication to rising the partnership additional, it’s deeply disappointing that the Belgian authorities made no effort to interact with our authorities to determine the information as soon as they grew to become conscious of the allegations.”
However the diplomat mentioned: “We aren’t threatening to chop provides or something. We’re merely saying [that] to cease communication within the EU parliament this fashion limits co-operation.”
The European Parliament scandal follows sustained criticism in Europe of Qatar’s internet hosting of the Fifa World Cup. Qataris have been angered by what they regard as an unfair singling out of the Gulf monarchy over points akin to labour and LGBT+ rights.
Officers in Doha have been getting ready a evaluation of abroad ties after the barrage of destructive media protection and significant statements from some politicians, individuals briefed on the matter mentioned.
Qatar is the world’s greatest exporter of LNG and has sought to construct a repute as a steady and dependable provider. Officers level out the state has by no means abused its pivotal function in fuel markets for diplomatic achieve.
For instance, when it was positioned underneath a harmful financial embargo by a quartet of its neighbours, together with Abu Dhabi, Doha didn’t disrupt its fuel provides to the United Arab Emirates.
Its significance in international fuel markets has elevated after the power disaster triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Doha being courted by European governments as they search alternate options to Russian power.
Final month, Qatar agreed to a long-term contract to provide Germany with LNG, and is in talks with different nations, together with Belgium and the UK, on related offers
The Qatari diplomat instructed the FT on Sunday that Doha didn’t combine enterprise and politics. “LNG negotiations aren’t influenced by politics,” the diplomat mentioned.
Qatar is a giant international investor, together with in Europe, and will channel its extra revenues elsewhere if it felt unfairly handled by its companions, the individuals briefed on the matter mentioned.
Two senior EU officers instructed the FT they have been involved the scandal would hit ties with Doha, probably together with the bloc’s power relations.
“Actually, after the beginning of the battle by Russia, Qatar performed an vital function for us . . . they helped us with fuel,” mentioned one. “Nations [such as Qatar] are ready the place they’ll select who they work with.”
“I do know that, due to what occurred, it is going to have an impact. It would make the connection rather more tough, rather more robust. It’s completely sure,” the official added.
A spokesman for the Belgian authorities declined to remark.
Further reporting by Valentina Pop in Brussels
