Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are key players in the Near and Middle East. Federal Chancellor Merz has travelled to the Gulf region to strengthen the strategic partnerships with the three Gulf states. The Federal Chancellor's trip in pictures.
Riyadh, 4 February 2026: Federal Chancellor Merz has travelled to the Gulf region to strengthen strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In Saudi Arabia, he was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Chancellor was accompanied by a business delegation. Before making the trip, the Chancellor explained that the countries being visited are among the key economic players in the region and are important trading partners for Germany.
For Federal Chancellor Merz, Saudi Arabia – the only G20 state in the Gulf – is an attractive market for German industry. “The volume of trade already amounts to around eleven billion euros, with a strong upward trend,” said Chancellor Merz.
Doha, 5 February 2026: The second stop on the trip took the Federal Chancellor to the capital of Qatar.
The agenda in Doha included discussions with Qatari and German business representatives. At the joint meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the Chancellor made it clear that the partnership with Qatar was to be strengthened.
Federal Chancellor Merz was then received by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, for talks.
Finally, the Chancellor visited one of the most important museums of Islamic art on the Arabian Peninsula. The Doha Museum of Islamic Art houses significant parts of the extensive art collection of the Qatari Emirs.
Germany and Qatar want to strengthen their partnership. Federal Chancellor Merz made this clear after talks with the Emir of Qatar in Doha. The dialogue centred on economic issues, cultural exchange and stability in the Gulf region.
Abu Dhabi, 6 February 2026: The aim of closer cooperation on foreign trade policy was also reflected in the Chancellor’s agenda. In the UAE--United Arab Emirates he visited a subsidiary of the German company BAUER AG.
“Germany has a very high reputation here, also because we are a good investment location,” said Chancellor Merz during the visit. There has been a sharp rise in investment figures and a significant increase in orders in many companies.
The Chancellor also visited the state-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
His trip to the Gulf was possibly one of the most important in recent months, said the Chancellor at the end of his visit. There is huge potential in terms of investment in Germany and of German investment in the region.