German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said before his Gulf‑region trip that Germany plans to deepen its partnership with the Gulf states, especially in the field of armaments. He announced that the government has decided to act “less restrictive” and more “predictable” with respect to defence exports, calling this a crucial signal for cooperation that will help build trust.
Merz explained that the strategic partnership with Gulf countries is part of a wider agenda. He pointed out that Germany already seeks similar partnerships with Brazil, South Africa, and India, and that moving into the Gulf is a “logical next step”. The goal is to create a network of alliances that reduces unilateral dependencies and opens new possibilities.
A major focus of the visit, according to Merz, will be strengthening bilateral ties, particularly with Saudi Arabia. He highlighted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which is intended to turn the kingdom into an attractive market for German industry. He underscored the importance of the EU‑Saudi free‑trade negotiations, the need to diversify oil‑ and gas‑supply chains, and discussed peace and security issues in the region, with particular reference to developments around Iran.
Merz will begin the trip on Wednesday evening with meetings in Saudi Arabia. Further sessions are scheduled in Qatar and Saudi Arabia for Thursday and Friday, after which the chancellor plans to return to Germany on Friday evening.