Doha believes that the corruption scandal that broke out in the European Parliament (EP) and the related possible suspension of Qatar’s access to the territory of the EP complex until the end of the proceedings could negatively affect the country’s relations with the EU and have consequences for global energy security. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported this on Sunday, citing a statement from an unnamed Qatari diplomat.
"<...> Such a discriminatory measure, which limits dialogue and cooperation on Qatar until the outcome of the proceedings, will have a negative impact on regional and global security cooperation, as well as on ongoing discussions about the global energy deficit and [energy] security," the agency quoted the Qatari diplomat as saying.
The corruption scandal at the EP erupted on December 9 when Belgian police carried out dozens of searches in Brussels and arrested four people, including EP Vice-President Eva Kaili. The Belgian prosecutor's office reported that all the defendants in the investigation “are suspected of paying large sums of money or offering significant gifts to third parties who have a political and/or strategic position that allows them to influence the decisions of the European Parliament." The aim was to improve Qatar's image in the EU ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
In the following days, the searches in Brussels continued, while the French police sealed the offices at the headquarters of the EP in Strasbourg. According to the Belgian media, about €2 million in cash were found and seized during the searches. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to create a special structure in the EU responsible for the observance of ethical principles.
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Based on materials from TASS