In his opening speech, HRH Prince Hassan stressed that the extremist’s "Culture of Hatred" is based on a rejection of any well-established system.
The conference of KAS’ regional programme “Middle East/Mediterranean” and the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies took place in Amman and was attended by numerous renowned experts from Europe as well as the entire region of the Middle East. Subject areas lively discussed by the participants of the conference were the dialogue between the religions and the impact of religion on the rule of law. Examples from various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries – from Iran to Turkey – stood in the focus of attention.
In the run-up to the conference, KAS’ Deputy Head of the Department of International Cooperation, Frank Spengler, gathered information in Israel and the Palestinian Territories on the Foundation’s work and possibilities of promoting the rule of law in that region. In addition, he talked to political actors about the future of the Middle East peace process. Amongst others, Spengler spoke to the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki about the prospects of creating a framework for a permanent two-state solution until even the end of 2008 as well as Germany’s possible mediating role within it. In Israel, Spengler talked to the Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Jacov Edery, and was officially welcomed in the plenum by the speaker of the Knesset, Dalia Itzik. Itzik praised the work of KAS especially against the background of Israel's 60th anniversary.
As part of their overall regional orientation, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, with its projects aiming at enhancing the rule of law, political education and economic conditions, contributes significantly to development and conflict resolution in the Middle East. In particular against the background of the current situation, Spengler assured the continuation of this cooperation in various discussions with KAS’ partners from politics, economy and civil society.
Following the conference in Amman, the local employees of KAS in this region met in order to discuss the future activities of the foundation in the field of rule of law in the Middle East.