Mission accomplished: When Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) appeared in front of the cameras on Sunday in the Qatari capital Doha after his meeting with the Emir, he seemed visibly satisfied.

"It was firmly agreed to enter into a long-term energy partnership, a cooperation," he reported.

The German companies accompanying him on his trip to the Persian Gulf are now entering into concrete contract negotiations.

Habeck emphasized that this does not only apply to deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar to Germany.

When it comes to the expansion of renewable energies, Germany can support Qatar.

He spoke of a "win-win situation".

Julia Loehr

Business correspondent in Berlin.

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It's a delicate journey that Habeck embarked on on Saturday morning.

According to the federal government, Germany should become independent of energy imports from Russia as quickly as possible.

Since even with a rapid expansion of wind and solar energy, both private consumers and industry will still be dependent on gas for some time, the Green Vice Chancellor of all people must now organize new supplier countries for these fossil fuels.

“An added value and not a burden”

Qatar is the obvious choice: It is the second largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world after Australia, which is much further away, and intends to significantly increase its production capacities in the coming years.

But the country has also come under criticism for how it deals with migrant workers.

The government has introduced reforms such as a minimum wage and non-working hours during the hot midday hours.

However, human rights organizations consider these to be insufficient.

Habeck was aware that his visit to Doha was not well received by everyone.

It is unacceptable for people to live in poverty and be exploited, he said.

He addressed this in all conversations.

Habeck referred to the supply chain law, according to which German companies must also ensure social and environmental standards for their business partners abroad.

The law has been criticized by business associations as being too bureaucratic.

Habeck contradicted: “From an economic perspective, it is an added value and not a burden.

Habeck did not comment on the details of the planned energy cooperation.

However, concrete annual figures and delivery quantities have already been discussed, he said.

The aim is that when the infrastructure for liquid gas is ready in Germany, gas should also flow.

He had previously calculated that the construction of an LNG terminal usually takes around five years.

Germany is known to be good at trebling such times.

"Maybe it will be possible to divide it by three." That would mean a little more than a year and a half.

Two terminals are planned in Brunsbüttel and Wilhelmshaven.