From 5 to 7 May, KAS’ Regional Programme Gulf States organised a dialogue programme for Professor Dr Norbert Lammert, Chairperson of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and former President of the German Bundestag and, Dr Gerhard Wahlers, Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Division European and International Cooperation to Doha, Qatar.
This visit is part of KAS’ ongoing commitment to foster strategic partnerships and dialogue between Germany and the Gulf region. During the visit, the delegation engaged with key senior Qatari officials across key institutions, covering a wide range of topics from regional developments, such as the post-conflict situation in Syria, tensions with Iran and attacks on maritime security in the Red Sea, over conflict mediation in Gaza, Ukraine and East Africa, to potentials for further strategic cooperation Germany and Qatar, especially in the energy field, but also more broadly, between Europe and the Gulf.
The day began with a meeting with the Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms Maryam bint Ali Al Misned, where the discussions focused on developments in Syria, Gaza, and Yemen and the vital role of developmental and humanitarian aid in both countries’ foreign policy agendas.
This was followed by a meeting with Dr Abdulaziz Al Horr, Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With the Institute being an important partner of KAS, the discussion provided valuable insight into Qatar’s diplomatic training pathways and the professional development frameworks in place for those entering the diplomatic corps in Qatar. The discussion also explored ways to deepen institutional cooperation between the Diplomatic Institute and KAS.
Later in the day, the delegation was received by H.E. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of Qatar. Professor Dr Lammert and Dr Wahlers engaged in discussions on regional and international security issues of mutual interest and looked into potential avenues for advancing the crucial German-Qatari exchange on security and defence cooperation.
The delegation also met with Dr Majed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not only did discussion revolve around the current political state in the broader Middle East region, but also developments in Europe and the US, whose president is about to visit the State of Qatar. Dr Al Ansari also heads the Center for International Policy Research (CIPR), a KAS partner organisation, so the exchange with the delegation focused on ways to expand between both institutions going forward.
The trip concluded with a visit to the National Museum of Qatar, where Professor Lammert and Dr Wahlers explored the country’s rich history, from its pearl diving heritage to its rapid modernisation following the discovery of gas. In the evening, a dinner with cultural representatives and academics from prominent institutions in Qatar revealed different perspectives on Qatar’s cultural policy, rounding out a visit that touched on all the key aspects that define the modern state of Qatar: diplomacy, development, shared security, and culture.
