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Partners for stability: Foreign Minister Wadephul travels to Qatar and to a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Kuwait
Foreign Minister Wadephul at the Joint Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers from the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council © Photothek Media Lab
Foreign Minister Wadephul is departing for Doha on Sunday morning. He will meet the Qatari Foreign Minister there before travelling on to Kuwait, where he will attend the two day Joint Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers from the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Find out more here.
During his visit to Qatar today, Foreign Minister Wadephul will meet with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al‑Thani. The focus will primarily be on Qatar’s work to end the war in the Gaza Strip, and mediation efforts to implement the US peace plan. The pressure applied to Hamas by Qatar plays an important role. There is finally genuine hope that the war in Gaza could be brought to an end after two years. The necessary steps must now be taken by Israel’s government and the terror organisation Hamas. The two Foreign Ministers will discuss how this can be achieved. Hamas must now stand by its initial commitments. In particular, the remaining hostages must be immediately released. Numerous hostages are still being held captive by Hamas in inhumane conditions, including several Germans.
The meeting in Doha also holds a special significance because it inaugurates the strategic dialogue at Foreign Minister level that was agreed upon in May 2023. This is a milestone for our countries’ official relations with one another. Germany and Qatar share a strong partnership, not just politically but also economically. In the energy sector in particular, German businesses have long been reliable partners for Qatar. And in 2026, Germany will begin importing liquefied natural gas from the country.
Qatar has a particular role and significance in the Gulf region. It works to promote regional stability and serves as a mediation partner in many other complicated conflicts. In Syria, Qatar has helped secure the energy supply with deliveries of gas. In the war in Ukraine, Qatar supports the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children from Russian captivity. This is Foreign Minister Wadephul’s second visit to Doha, underlining the importance that Germany attaches to its partnership with Qatar.
For two days in Kuwait, the focus will be on stabilising the region and deepening cooperation between the EU and the GCC.
Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel onwards to Kuwait from Qatar. He will attend a Joint Ministerial Meeting to be held there between the Foreign Ministers of the EU and the GCC. Kuwait currently holds the GCC chairmanship. During this leg of the Minister’s trip, too, talks will primarily focus on the troublespots in the region. In recent days, talks around the US peace plan for Gaza have gained momentum, and there is a chance to end the conflict. The situation in Syria, Iran and Yemen will also be discussed. On many issues we are united by common goals, first and foremost reducing tensions and stabilising the region.
By taking part in the summit in Kuwait, Foreign Minister Wadephul hopes to intensify political dialogue between the EU, the GCC and their member states.
Prior to his departure for Doha, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:
Security for the people in the Gaza Strip, stabilisation in the region, long‑term security for all, political prospects for the Palestinians, and finally normalisation in all states’ relations with Israel – all this will require staying power. We want to take on responsibility for this together. Germany will play a crucial role. The Federal Government will offer concrete contributions as a partner for humanitarian assistance, stabilisation and reconstruction.