For the first time since taking office, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is visiting the high-energy monarchies in the Arabian Peninsula. On Saturday, the chancellor in Jeddah will hold talks with the heads of the Saudi Arabian royal family, including controversial Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He will then meet the heads of state of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on Sunday. The three countries are major exporters of oil and gas.
The federal government hopes to sign concrete contracts during the two-day chancellor’s trip. Scholz is accompanied by a senior business delegation. But there are big differences when it comes to human rights. The chancellor will meet “difficult partners” during the trip, according to those close to him. According to US intelligence, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia personally authorized the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul four years ago.