Riyadh – German director general for political affairs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near and Middle East, Ambassador Sabine Sparwasser stressed the importance of reaching a breakthrough in the Syrian and Yemeni crises to find fair political solutions.
Sparwasser, who is also the special representative of Germany for Afghanistan and Pakistan, held talks on Monday with Saudi officials during her visit to Riyadh.
Discussions between Sparwasser and her Saudi counterparts focused on the current political developments in the Middle East and North Africa, with special emphasis on the Syrian and Yemeni crises, as well as the current challenges in the greater Middle East, and bilateral relations.
She also discussed with them means to ensure stability and security as well as counter terrorism in Afghanistan.
The German Embassy’s acting Charge d’Affaires, Michael Ohnmacht, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Sparwasser’s visit aims at bringing the German and Saudi political stances closer.
Ohnmacht said that Sparwasser discussed approaches to enhance the international coalition against ISIS.
According to Ohnmacht, the German envoy met with Saudi director general for political and economic affairs Adel Merdad. During the meeting, the two reviewed the situation in Yemen and Syria and stressed the importance of moving forward with a political solution for both countries.
The acting Charge d’Affaires said that Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in the Middle East as a powerful state in the region, met by Germany, a powerful state in Europe.
Also, Sparwasser met with GCC Assistant Secretary General Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg. The two discussed the future of security in the Middle East and ways to solve the current crises gripping the region, including the situation in Syria as well as enhancing strategic work regionally and internationally.
She also met with Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, deputy minister of economy, and reviewed several fields of cooperation and projects related to Vision 2030 and NPT 2020 and Germany’s role is achieving the vision.
The acting Charge d’Affaires stressed the talks aim at solving the crises in Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq.
He added that they aim to enhance security coordination in order to exchange expertise in counter terrorism.