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Germany seeks better relations with Gulf states

2026-05-26 12:08:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Germany is reluctant to play a mediating role in the war between the US, Israel and Iran. Instead, the government is focusing more on improving relations with the Gulf states.

Are we living in a time when classical diplomacy has almost no weight? In a time when individual states are increasingly pursuing their interests through military force? If so, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) deliberately showed the opposite sign this week.

Wadephul has been extremely active. Even the normally reserved Foreign Ministry spoke of a busy, even extraordinary, week. On Monday, Wadephul (CDU) hosted his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. He then took part in a conference at the Foreign Ministry on energy security in Ukraine, which was also attended by representatives of the German Ministry of Economics and Energy.

In more than four years of war with Russia, Ukraine has learned how to better protect its energy infrastructure from external attacks - a lesson that Germany could also benefit from. Wadephul also hosted the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, and Jordanian Prince Hussein bin Abdullah. These visits were clearly considered highlights of the week.

Merz expresses "disappointment" during the war

To understand this, it is worth looking at his statements in Berlin at the end of April, after almost two months of war between the US, Israel and Iran. After a closed-door meeting of the CDU, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was "disappointed" by the actions of the US and Israel against Iran.

Merz said the quick solution initially expected by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was lacking. "Therefore, we want to continue our diplomatic efforts in Europe to find a solution. We are cooperating closely with the American side, but we also have our own European ideas on how the conflict can be resolved," Merz said.

And that means, at least for the moment, that Germany is focusing on diplomacy. The focus is now on talks with the Gulf states, which themselves have often been victims of attacks and threats, and which are increasingly worried about the stalemate in the conflict and Russian support for Iran.

Maintaining a new order

Max Hofmann, DW's Berlin bureau chief, observed Wadephul's efforts this week. "You can't put all the Gulf states in the same place, but it's basically about credibility," he says.

"The US is not succeeding in this relationship either as a defensive power, but is undermining the security and business model of many countries in the region, which has been affected by the war and its consequences. And the strategy of seeing itself as a mediator between Iran and the West has failed," says Hofmann.

And that is why Germany is becoming attractive again to these countries, precisely because of its commitment to an order based on values, principles and rules, Hofmann argues.

The meeting with the Sultan of Brunei also fits into this strategy. Wadephul also hosted Haji Hassanal Bolkiah this week, largely because Brunei currently holds the ASEAN presidency. The group of eleven Southeast Asian nations has been particularly affected by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Reopening this closure is also a key priority for Germany.

"The strait will eventually reopen and the Gulf states are also working on alternative transport options," says Hofmann. "And looking further into the future, the region could play a very important role in producing green hydrogen for Germany," he says.

Government fights for Germany's place in the UN Security Council

The Foreign Minister's intensive role also serves Germany's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The UN General Assembly will decide on this on June 3. In addition to Germany, Austria and Portugal are among the European countries running for this position. The outcome is uncertain. Therefore, any discussion with UN representatives can only be useful./ DW