German Chancellor in Saudi Arabia: Strengthening economic and political partnership
Saudi-German relations are witnessing a new era of prosperity and growth, culminating in the visit of the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This visit comes at a crucial time, reflecting Germany's high regard for the Kingdom's standing and its political and economic influence on both the regional and international stages.
Historical depth and deep-rooted relationships
This visit is not a fleeting event, but rather an extension of a long history of diplomatic and economic relations between the two friendly countries. These relations are based on a legacy of mutual understanding and high-level reciprocal visits, beginning with the meetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – with successive German leaders, and culminating in the active diplomatic engagement of recent years. Berlin views Riyadh as an indispensable strategic partner in the Middle East region and a cornerstone for maintaining global security and stability, especially in light of current geopolitical challenges.
An economic partnership that aligns with Vision 2030
The visit takes on an exceptional economic dimension given the convergence of the goals of Germany's robust economy with those of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Both sides seek to enhance cooperation in vital sectors that extend beyond traditional trade. These efforts have yielded remarkable results, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $11.3 billion in 2024 and projected to continue growing in 2025. The Saudi-German Joint Committee works regularly to overcome obstacles and encourage public-private partnerships, opening up broad horizons for investors in both countries.
Clean energy: the bet for the future
Clean energy is at the forefront of discussions, with Germany, Europe's leading industrial power, looking to the Kingdom as a reliable source of green energy. In this context, the Saudi-German Green Hydrogen Bridge project stands out as a key outcome of this cooperation. It aims to produce and export green hydrogen and green ammonia to Europe, with ambitious plans to export 200,000 tons annually by 2030. This collaboration reflects both countries' commitment to combating climate change and transitioning towards a sustainable economy.
Quality investments in technology and transportation
Cooperation has not been limited to energy alone, but has extended to future transportation technologies and artificial intelligence. The Saudi Arabian Airlines Group's deal to purchase 100 electric aircraft from the German company Lilium is a tangible example of this trend, in addition to the Public Investment Fund's acquisition of stakes in promising German technology companies such as Holon, which specializes in autonomous vehicles. These steps underscore the Kingdom's commitment to localizing modern technologies and leveraging Germany's extensive expertise in this field.
Political consensus on regional issues
On the political front, the talks revealed a significant convergence of views on regional issues, most notably the Palestinian question. Riyadh and Berlin agree on the necessity of achieving a comprehensive and just peace and advancing the two-state solution as a fundamental pillar for ending the conflict. This underscores the pivotal role the Kingdom plays in coordinating international positions to ensure the security and stability of the Middle East.
