As the energy crisis tightens in Europe as a result of Russia’s decision to stop gas supplies to the continent, the European Union has opened an office in Qatar, underlining the Gulf state's growing influence in solving the international energy crisis.

EU council president Charles Michel was to meet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and other top officials in Doha.

Michel arrived from Algeria, where he also discussed supplies of natural gas. Qatar is one of the world's top suppliers of liquefied natural gas, and growing requests have been made by Germany and other European nations.

Michel said his visit was "an important signal of our political will to strengthen ties with Qatar," as he opened the EU mission.

The EU wants closer ties in "the energy sector, economic development, security challenges," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has maintained that Russia has manipulated Europe’s energy markets and left its citizens “confronted with astronomic prices.”

“We will table measures to protect vulnerable consumers and businesses. We have the economic strength, the political will and unity to keep the upper hand.”

Separately, Qatar recently announced that it will build the world's biggest plant making blue ammonia – one of the new fuels being touted as a cleaner energy source. Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said the plant would cost $1.2 billion and start production in early 2026. State-owned Qatar Energy, a firm that is making huge profits from liquefied natural gas, said the plant would produce 1.2 million tons of ammonia a year, "making it the world's largest such facility."

European countries such as Spain and Germany are already in talks with Qatar for their energy supplies.