The sensitive negotiations come in the run-up to a Franco-German summit
Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has raised the imprisonment of French journalist Christophe Gleizes on Thursday, alongside talks with Algeria’s president on a controversial liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal.
Berlin is seeking to increase imports of LNG from Algeria, a plan has exposed divisions within the German government, as the fuel’s transport and processing generate substantial methane emissions.
Environment Minister Carsten Schneider is pushing for the next implementation phase of the EU Methane Regulation to take effect as scheduled on 1 January 2027, which would require Algerian gas exports to comply with European methane standards, Handelsblatt reported.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, however, favours postponing the stricter rules, citing concerns over security of supply.
