Press Releases

November 9, 2007

Chancellor Merkel Met with Saudi King Abdullah in Berlin

Berlin:The Chancellor welcomes King Abdullah Photo: REGIERUNGonline Giribás

Chancellor Angela Merkel met twice with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia during his visit to Germany this week. She praised the outstanding bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. The visit was a special event, according to the chancellor, because the king is an important player in the Middle East region.

Chancellor Merkel said was very pleased that the Saudi king, who arrived in Berlin on November 7 and is departing today, gave Germany the honor of visiting the country. It is the first visit to Germany by a Saudi king since King Khaled came to the country in 1980.

Talks on a Region Rife with Conflict
Chancellor Merkel expected to again discuss “important international issues” during their second meeting. These include, apart from peace in the Near and Middle East, the precarious situation in Pakistan and the conflict over the Iranian nuclear program.

The Chancellor was especially pleased about the special distinction she received. King Abdullah presented Merkel with the highest order of merit of his country, the King Abdulaziz Order of Merit. The chancellor received the second highest grade of the order of the merit.

Reinvigorating the Middle East Peace Process
In the first meeting in the morning, King Abdullah underscored the traditionally good relations between Saudi Arabia and Germany. He emphasized the shared interest in making progress in the Middle East peace process and asked Germany to continue playing an active role. He also stressed the joint interest in containing nuclear weapons.

King Abdullah talked about the Saudi commitment to making progress in the African centers of conflicts in Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Both the Chancellor and the King Abdullah expressed their hope for progress in the Darfur peace talks in Libya.

Chancellor Merkel and King Abdullah discussed the state of the global economy and its effects on higher oil prices. The reform process in Saudi Arabia was also a subject at their first meeting. Chancellor Merkel encouraged King Abdullah to continue on the current course.

Advanced Search    Help

Contacts

Officials & Institutions

Background Papers

Subscribe Here You can also read the current issues here.

Printer-Friendly Page