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German mediation on the cards to ease Mideast tension

Abu Dhabi - The role of Iran in the region, especially its meddling in other nations' political issues, is something we see as being problematic.

Germany will play a "vital mediation role" in the escalating political tension in the region, especially with Iran, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has said. This will help ensure political diplomacy, prevent violence and maintain peace and stability among nations, he added.
"Today, I have had a long and fruitful discussion with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on a lot of issues, including Iran's regional meddling, the current situation in Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Palestine and other nations," said Sheikh Abdullah. "Germany being a member of the United Nations Security Council, we have hope that its mediation among nations in the region to ensure political diplomacy will play an important role to prevent escalating tensions and bring peace."
Maas, who is in the UAE on his first official visit, said Germany was concerned about the current political tension in the region and that his country was keen on playing a mediation role.
"The role of Iran in the region, especially its meddling in other nations' political issues, is something we see as being problematic," said Maas. "We are keen on political diplomacy as exchanging threats won't lead us anywhere. All sides have to deter from political escalations to avoid tensions in the region."
On the issue of Yemen, Maas said the Stockholm agreement needed to implemented to support a peaceful political solution.
"Only political solutions can ensure stability and sustainable peace in Yemen and other nations," he said.
Maas praised the UAE's peaceful way of handling issues, referring to its response to the recent sabotage operations of four cargo vessels off the Fujairah coast.
Bilateral and trade cooperation
Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE and Germany have been united by a strategic partnership in the past 15 years. "The UAE is Germany's largest trading partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Over 25 per cent of German trade with Arab countries is with the UAE," said Sheikh Abdullah.
The total trade volume between the two countries in 2018 reached $13.25 billion, with Germany exporting mostly aircraft, cars, machinery, electronics and chemical products to the UAE. German imports from the UAE are primarily aluminum and petrochemical products.
The UAE is home to 14,000 German expats and over 500,000 German tourists visited the country last year. The UAE also hosts 300 German companies. In 2017, the Emirati-German Energy Partnership was established as a platform for dialogue in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com