German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Thursday to ease restrictions on arms exports to Gulf nations during an official visit to Qatar, according to Reuters.
This move marks a strategic shift as Europe’s largest economy aims to strengthen economic partnerships and expand its energy sources.
“This is in our mutual interest, because we want to ensure that the world becomes safer, and it will only become safer if we are able to defend ourselves,” Merz told journalists.
He is currently leading a campaign to position Germany as a prime hub for global investment, calling for partners to foster trade ties as US tariff policies prompt nations to seek alternative deals.
Merz has already visited Brazil, India, and South Africa, with a high-profile trip to China set to take place later this month.
Notably, Germany is seeking to broaden its liquefied natural gas imports from Qatar beyond the current 2 million tons per year.
Merz said that this approach would secure reliable supplies and reduce dependencies.
Moreover, Merz announced that he had extended an invitation to Qatar’s Emir for an official visit to Berlin in July.
His Gulf tour, spanning Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, reflects Berlin’s bid to deepen economic ties.
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