Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey are key players in the Middle East and make important contributions to stability in the region. The Federal President held political talks in these countries at the highest level. The focus was on recent developments in the region as well as cooperation on humanitarian assistance, particularly for Gaza and Syria.
The Federal President’s visit began in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. This was the first official visit to the country by a German head of state. In Riyadh, the Federal President met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for political talks. He also spoke with representatives of Saudi Arabian think tanks. In the evening he visited the JAX District, a hub for the arts, and talked to some of the artists working there. The following day, the Federal President visited King Salman Park. This is set to become the largest urban park in the world, with German companies involved in its development.
From Saudi Arabia the Federal President traveled on to Jordan, beginning in Al-Azraq. There he visited the German contingent taking part in Counter Daesh / Capacity Building Iraq, which is working closely with the Jordanian armed forces and other partners to fight the terrorist organisation calling itself the Islamic State. Germany is making an important contribution to humanitarian assistance for Gaza. And it is cooperating very productively with Jordan in these efforts. The Federal President handed over a further shipment of urgently needed medical supplies to be used in Jordanian hospitals in Gaza. In total, this project involves more than 15 tonnes of supplies worth 1.5 million euro.
On Wednesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan received the Federal President for talks in Amman.
The Federal President then traveled on to Ankara, where he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for further discussions on the latest developments in the region.
Overview of the programme
Sunday, 2 February
- Afternoon
Flight to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Monday, 3 February
- Morning (CET +2)
Talks with representatives of Saudi Arabian think tanks - Midday
Welcome with military honours by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - thereafter
Talks with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - thereafter
Luncheon, hosted by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Evening
Visit to the JAX District, a hub for artists and creatives
Tuesday, 4 February
- Morning
Visit to King Salman Park - Midday
Flight to Amman, Jordan - thereafter
Flight to Al-Azraq, Jordan - Afternoon, Al-Azraq
Visit to the 18th German contingent taking part in Counter Daesh / Capacity Building Iraq - Evening
Flight to Amman
Wednesday, 5 February
- Midday
Talks with the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein - thereafter
Flight to Ankara, Turkey - Evening
Talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey - thereafter
Flight to Berlin