The primary focus of her meetings was the Middle East peace process. Other talking points included the nuclear conflict with Iran and the situation in Iraq.

The Prime Ministers of Dubai and Kuwait told Merkel that they, too, see the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians as the central problem in the region. Both governments welcome the fact that the Middle East Quartet renewed its initiative a few days ago.

Kuwait’s neighbors Iraq and Iran 

The Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, said he  hoped Iraq would soon become a flourishing country again and wished his neighbors peace. At the same time he stressed that the country’s various factions would only be able to achieve lasting stability through negotiations. As Iraq’s immediate neighbor Kuwait has been an up-close observer both of the war and the continuing unrest.

Speaking in her capacity as EU Council President Merkel pledged support for the Prime Minister’s wish. She said the European Union would do everything it could to promote the process of political, social, and economic reconstruction in Iraq.

Asked about the nuclear dispute with Teheran, Merkel noted that she would like to see Iran become an esteemed international partner once again.

She said the international community had made the Iranian government offers relating to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. There have been numerous talks but none of them have produced  results. She stressed that although sanctions have been imposed by the United Nations the door remains open for negotiations.

Booming economies

Both Dubai and Kuwait are important trading partners for Germany. German industry is strongly interested in expanding existing partnerships with the region. The German government supports these efforts.

Kuwait is a country with some of the world’s richest oil reserves. Chancellor Merkel referred to the fact that energy issues are a focus of the German EU Presidency. She said she was pleased to note that the Kuwaiti government has expanded its investments in renewable energies, an area in which Germany is a global leader.

Kuwaiti companies are among the biggest Arab investors in Germany. Merkel mentioned the forthcoming corporate tax reform, saying it will further enhance Germany’s attractiveness for foreign investors.

Trade with the booming Gulf region is an important economic factor for all of Europe. Bureaucratic barriers continue to be hindrances to the development of mutual trade. With a view to improving the situation Merkel promised to reactivate negotiations on a free trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union that were initiated in 1990 but never completed.