German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan (SPD) said she will forge “strategic alliances” with Gulf states. “It is about targeted cooperation around shared interests – for example in the reconstruction of Gaza or in Syria” she told the weekend edition of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Alabali Radovan stresses that everyone who is involved in development cooperation must be engaged; otherwise it would be a strategic mistake. She calls for clearer articulation of Germany’s own interests.
At the same time, the minister affirmed that her government will continue to advance a values‑driven development policy. “Development cooperation must remain feminist” she explained. “Many argue over the terminology, but what I care about is the substance: if the goal is to protect women and girls from violence, I cannot find anyone who thinks that’s wrong”.
She also says she wants to strengthen development ties with the EU and other partners in the face of national and international budget cuts. “As a federal government we send a clear signal: Germany remains a reliable partner and upholds a rule‑based world order” she said. “But it is clear we cannot compensate for the US withdrawal – neither alone nor as the EU”.
Her reform proposals, she added, provide a fitting response to a world in flux. “The cuts are hard, but necessary”.