Qatar and Netherlands strengthen energy ties

The Netherlands, aiming to become a distribution centre for liquefied natural gas, yesterday signed a memorandum with top LNG producer Qatar to strengthen their energy ties, the Dutch economy ministry said.
“It’s in line with other policy to intensify relations with gas producing countries. It’s also due to security of supply reasons,” a spokesman for the ministry said.
Last year, the Dutch government approached other gas producing countries, such as Algeria, to line up LNG supplies as part of its ambition to turn the Netherlands into a distribution centre in north-western Europe.
Companies have proposed building three LNG import terminals in the Netherlands in the coming two to three years.
The Netherlands has shifted its gas policy to increase imports while keeping its declining reserves, Europe’s second biggest after Norway, as strategic stocks and an important source of revenue.

Gulf Times