INTERNATIONAL: German and South Korean officials have held talks in gas-rich Qatar on Sunday ,March 20, underlining efforts by major energy importers to find alternatives to Russian supplies amid disruptions to oil and gas markets caused by the Ukraine war.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has met South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and German Economy Minister Robert Habeck for talks on bilateral cooperation focusing on the energy sector.

Germany and Qatar have reached a long-term energy partnership, a German official has said on Sunday, as Europe's biggest economy seeks to become less dependent on Russian energy sources.

Russia is the largest supplier of gas to Germany and Habeck has launched several initiatives to lessen Germany's energy dependence on Russia since it invaded its neighbor Ukraine.

The Gulf Arab state is the world's top exporter of liquefied natural gas and holds the third largest gas reserves after Russia and Iran.

Kim also met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani for talks touching on investment, energy, health, agriculture, security and sports, especially the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Doha.