By Alimat Aliyeva
Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi has warned
that the country could suspend its liquefied natural gas (LNG)
supplies to the European Union if Brussels does not ease its
increasingly strict environmental regulations,
Azernews reports.
Speaking at an energy forum in Doha, Al-Kaabi criticized the
EU’s push for net-zero emissions, calling the targets “unrealistic”
and potentially damaging to global energy security. He argued that
while Europe’s climate goals are admirable, their rapid
implementation risks undermining the stability of energy markets
and deterring much-needed investment in natural gas
infrastructure.
“We support the transition to cleaner energy sources, but we
must be pragmatic,” Al-Kaabi said. “Gas will remain a vital
component of the global energy mix for decades to come. Unrealistic
targets only create uncertainty for producers and consumers
alike.”
In the first quarter of 2025, Qatar became the third-largest LNG
supplier to the EU, trailing only the United States and Russia, as
Europe sought to diversify its energy sources following the global
energy crisis.
Energy analysts note that Qatar’s warning reflects a growing
tension between energy producers and Western policymakers, as
exporting nations push back against what they see as overly
aggressive climate commitments. Qatar, which is currently
undertaking a massive expansion of its North Field project—the
world’s largest natural gas field—is expected to significantly
increase its LNG output by 2027.
Some experts suggest that if Doha follows through on its
warning, it could reshape Europe’s LNG supply chain, forcing the EU
to rely more heavily on U.S. and African producers or accelerate
its renewable energy rollout.