Algeria Joins US, Qatar and Nigeria in Open Letter to EU Over Methane Rules

On 23 June 2026, Algeria signed a joint open letter with the United States, Qatar and Nigeria urging the European Union to revise its methane‑emissions regulation that will apply to imported gas from January 2027. The letter, addressed to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Council President Antonio Costa and EU member‑state leaders, argues that the required monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) obligations are technically unfeasible within the current timeline and could jeopardise long‑term supply contracts, raise energy prices and destabilise gas deliveries to Europe.

The signatories request a “stop‑the‑clock” suspension of the compliance deadline, protection of existing contracts (grandfathering) and the lifting of penalties during the transition period. The EU’s methane regulation aims to cut emissions from oil, gas and coal by 80 % by 2030 and applies equally to domestic producers and importers. EU officials have so far refused to reopen negotiations, offering only a three‑year grace period for enforcement.

US Energy Secretary and Qatar’s Energy Minister have separately expressed opposition, citing extraterritorial costs and threats to energy security. Analysts warn that the dispute could affect Europe’s gas supply, which now relies heavily on US LNG (about 59 % of EU imports) and other non‑EU exporters. The coalition of four major gas suppliers represents an unprecedented joint diplomatic push against the EU’s climate‑related import standards.