In a diplomatic move aimed at deepening bilateral relations, His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Cabinet, and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, met with Dr. Markus Söder, Prime Minister of the German state of Bavaria. This important meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2024 Munich Security Conference, one of the world's leading forums for discussing global security and defense policies.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed ways to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the state of Bavaria, considered the heart of industry and technology in Germany. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, reflecting their commitment to coordinating positions and perspectives.
Context of the meeting and the importance of Saudi-German relations
These discussions take place within the framework of the strong historical ties between the Kingdom and Germany, which extend over decades of economic and political cooperation. Germany is a major trading partner for the Kingdom within the European Union, while the Kingdom represents a vital market for advanced German industries. The region of Bavaria, in particular, holds strategic importance as it is home to leading global companies in the automotive, engineering, and advanced technology sectors, such as Siemens and BMW, making it an ideal partner to support the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Economic and developmental dimensions of cooperation
The anticipated future cooperation focuses on several strategic areas that serve mutual interests. On the one hand, the Kingdom seeks to attract high-quality Bavarian investments and transfer knowledge and modern technologies to support its major development projects, particularly in the renewable energy, green hydrogen, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence sectors. On the other hand, the state of Bavaria views the Kingdom as a reliable energy partner and a promising market for its companies seeking global expansion. Strengthening this partnership will open new horizons for economic growth and create quality job opportunities in both countries.
Munich Security Conference as a platform for dialogue
The Munich Security Conference provides an ideal platform for such high-level bilateral meetings. Founded in 1963, the conference annually brings together world leaders, decision-makers, and experts to discuss the most pressing security challenges. The Kingdom's active participation in this international forum underscores its pivotal role as a stabilizing force in the Middle East, its commitment to contributing effectively to strengthening international peace and security, and its dedication to building bridges of cooperation with key international partners such as Germany and the state of Bavaria.
