Germany's Middle East policy is embedded in Europe's own policy on the region. In light of its history, Germany bears a particular moral responsibility for the security and existence of the state of Israel. At the same time, it recognizes Palestinians' right to a state of their own.
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The unresolved conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is at the centre of the many different conflict areas in the Middle East. Primarily, the conflict stems from territorial claims to the area between Jordan and the Mediterranean. Germany and its partners believe a lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved within the framework of a negotiation process.
Read more: Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed serious concern about the latest developments in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. Westerwelle warned that if Iran maintained its current position of refusing to cooperate, the United Nations would have no choice but to discuss “further measures”. Iran has announced that it has begun enriching uranium to a higher level (20 percent).
Read more: Concerns about Iranian nuclear programme
Domestic affairs are complicated in Lebanon. Society is starkly divided along religious lines and still bears the scars of a long civil war (1975-1990), Syrian occupation (until 2005) and regional conflict. The German Government is a staunch supporter of Lebanese democracy, independence and sovereignty.
Read more: Situation in Lebanon
Germany has made available a total of over EUR 200 million in assistance to stabilize and reconstruct Iraq. This includes Germany’s share of EU aid and multilateral commitments (World Bank, IMF). Germany is providing training in a number of areas to more than 2,000 Iraqis under ongoing and firmly planned programmes. Taking into account the Federal Government’s decision to cancel Iraq’s debts, German assistance will amount to nearly EUR 5 billion.
Read more: Iraq
Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC is the European Union’s most important trading partner in the Arab world. It is Europe’s sixth largest export market.
Read more: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
