My trip to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will focus on current regional challenges as well as the war in the Sudan. Resolute engagement is needed in order to bring to an end the destructive pursuit of military solutions and allow a civilian transition process for the Sudan to begin. Central guidelines for this are the Berlin Principles for the Sudan, which were adopted in April following the Sudan conference in Berlin. In view of the growing number of crises and conflicts, close exchange with our partners in the Middle East is both a priority for us and a political necessity.

Germany and Egypt enjoy close and intensive dialogue on regional and bilateral issues such as business, energy and migration. Moreover, our exchange in the field of cultural relations and education policy is closer than with almost any other country in the region. In light of the current crises in the region, Egypt has an important role to play in promoting peace, security and regional stability. I plan to discuss this with our partners in Cairo.

Saudi Arabia is a key security policy stakeholder in the region and as such is an important factor in any solution for regional conflicts and their global impact. Saudi Arabia has embarked upon a hugely dynamic path of economic diversification and social liberalisation, anchored in stability and reliability.

For us, the United Arab Emirates is a strategic partner which, as a signatory to the Abraham Accords, maintains good relations with Israel. With my colleagues in Abu Dhabi I intend to discuss particularly also the war in the Sudan and intensifying our cooperation in the area of cultural relations and education policy.