German economy minister urges Arab states not to benefit from Russia sanctions
By Riham Alkousaa and Alexander Cornwell
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – German Economic system Minister Robert Habeck, visiting Gulf states to debate long-term power provides, mentioned on Monday they need to not revenue from international sanctions in opposition to Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
“I am not asking that they be a part of the sanctions….however I ask to not be a profiteer of European and U.S. sanctions,” Habeck advised reporters within the United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi following a go to to Qatar.
He mentioned he has not seen any proof of sanctioned Russian wealth coming into the UAE, the area’s business hub which diplomats, firm executives and monetary sources have mentioned has emerged as a protected haven for Russia’s wealthy.
The minister mentioned he had spoken with Qatari officers about Russian wealth flowing into the nation. Qatari authorities didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters’ request for remark.
Gulf states have tried to strike a steadiness between Western allies and Russia, with which they’ve power and financial ties.
OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and the UAE have additionally resisted Western calls to make use of their spare oil output capability to tame costs that surged as Russia’s invasion prompted fears of provide disruptions.
Russia is the biggest provider of gasoline to Germany and Habeck has launched a number of initiatives to minimize his nation’s power dependence on Moscow.
Throughout his go to to Doha on Sunday, Germany mentioned a long-term power partnership had been clinched whereas Qatar mentioned the 2 international locations would re-engage and progress discussions on liquefied pure gasoline provides.
In Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Metropolis, the place Habeck toured a photo voltaic undertaking, the minister mentioned German companies would signal 5 memoranda of understanding regarding hydrogen analysis and improvement.
The German delegation is anticipated to carry talks with state oil agency ADNOC and the UAE power minister.
Habeck mentioned he would talk about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s current go to to the UAE, the primary to an Arab state because the Syrian conflict started in 2011, and which comes amid strained ties between Abu Dhabi and Washington.
(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Alexander Cornwell; Writing by Lina Najem; Modifying by Alex Richardson and Angus MacSwan)
