Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered sweeping Western sanctions that threaten to disrupt commodity flows, raising the spectre of gas shortages, blackouts and further price increases.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di
Maio has flown to Qatar to discuss energy cooperation
between the two nations as Italy stepped up efforts to secure
new gas supplies in light of the Ukraine crisis.
Underscoring the sudden drive to bolster ties with the gas-rich Gulf state, Prime Minister Mario Draghi also spoke to the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, with energy high on the agenda, Draghi’s office said in a statement on Saturday.
Di Maio and the head of Italian energy group Eni,
Claudio Descalzi, were due to hold high-level talks in Qatar
over the weekend, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The previously unannounced trip follows a visit by the two
men to Algeria on Monday, where they asked for an increase in
gas supplies from the North African country.
READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine stand-off: What are Europe’s natural gas alternatives?
Plans to cut Russian gas imports
Energy Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani was quoted as
saying on Saturday that Italy aimed to rapidly cut more than
half its Russian gas import and to be independent of Russian
supplies within two or three years.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper, Cingolani said he and Draghi would meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Monday to discuss placing a price cap on the purchase of Russian gas supplies.
“In an emergency period, one can fix a maximum price …
above which European operators cannot buy,” he said, adding that
the move was needed to prevent Russia’s Gazprom
profiting from surging energy prices.
Italy uses gas to generate 40 percent of its electricity and imports account for more than 90 percent of its gas needs.
Last year 40 percent of those imports came from Russia and the government has said it wants to cut its reliance.
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Source: TRTWorld and agencies
Italy looks to Qatar for boosting energy supplies amid Ukraine war
Source: Pinay Pop Showbiz
