AFP

European Council President Charles Michel inaugurated on Wednesday the headquarters of the European Union's diplomatic mission in Doha, on an official visit to Qatar, aimed particularly at discussing the energy crisis with the oil and gas-rich Gulf country. The Europeans are preparing for a difficult winter during which Russian gas imports will be below their usual levels, in one of the consequences of the war on Ukraine that will have the most impact on their daily lives. Michel told reporters that his visit was an "important signal of our political will to strengthen relations with Qatar" in areas such as "the energy sector, economic development (and) security challenges around the world." The President of the European Council is scheduled to meet, in particular, with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. A Qatari government official said, "Charles Michel will meet with several senior officials to discuss and study regional and international issues, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis (and) the energy crisis." And on Friday, the Russian giant Gazprom announced the suspension of the gas pipeline "Nord Stream 1". Moscow stresses in particular that Western sanctions imposed on it following the Russian attack on Ukraine prevent the recovery of a turbine manufactured by Siemens and sent to Canada for repair. European officials are looking to the world's major gas exporters to fill the supply shortfall. The President of the European Council, Asad, was during a visit to Algeria on Monday, the North African Arab country, as a "reliable" energy supplier. Qatar is among the world's largest LNG producers, along with the United States and Australia.