Presidents, Prime Ministers or ministers of the eleven member countries of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) are meeting in Doha in the midst of the Russian-Western crisis which is threatening gas supplies from Russia to Europe and contributing to a surge in prices in this sector.
"Russian companies are fully committed to existing contracts," said Russian Energy Minister Nicolai Shulginov, without commenting on the situation in his country, whose relations with Western countries are going through the worst crisis since the end of the Cold War. because of the situation around Ukraine.
“We appreciate the efforts of all (GEPF) members who have worked hard to ensure a credible and reliable supply of natural gas to the global market and to preserve the stability of these markets,” the Emir of Qatar told the participants. .
"Despite the cruel and illegal US sanctions, Iran was able to rely on its experts and was able to adopt many strategies," he added.
Negotiations resumed in November in Vienna on the Iranian nuclear issue and aim to save the 2015 agreement which had allowed the lifting of international economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for strict limits on its nuclear program supposed to prevent it from acquire the atomic bomb.
The United States left the agreement in 2018 under President Donald Trump, who considered it insufficient, and reinstated its sanctions.
In response, Tehran has largely freed itself from restrictions on its nuclear activities.
According to the GEPF, its 11 members - Qatar, Russia, Iran, Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela - and seven associated countries represent 70% of proven gas reserves and 51 % of world exports of liquefied natural gas.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi takes part in the final session of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) on February 22, 2022 in Doha KARIM JAAFAR AFP
The United States and Australia, two other major exporters, are not part of the Forum.
© 2022 AFP