
Germany: Maas welcomes Saudi Arabian counterpart for talks in Berlin
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud for talks in Berlin on Wednesday.
Maas and bin Farhan talked about a range of issues, while the Saudi minister avoided directly mentioning the contentious recent peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains committed to peace as strategic option based on the Arab Peace Plan, and relevant international resolutions, enabling the Palestinian people to establish their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital," sad bin Farhan.
He emphasised that "We appreciate all positive efforts that aim to achieve peace," while still not naming the recent deal and adding that "any efforts to suspend" Israel's annexation plans was "appreciated."
Saudi Arabia has remained silent on the Israel-UAE peace agreement, which was announced last week, establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries, triggering a severe backlash in parts of the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Maas confirmed Berlin's support for the deal, while also condemning the recent coup in Mali and expressing support for continuing efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Libya.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud for talks in Berlin on Wednesday.
Maas and bin Farhan talked about a range of issues, while the Saudi minister avoided directly mentioning the contentious recent peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains committed to peace as strategic option based on the Arab Peace Plan, and relevant international resolutions, enabling the Palestinian people to establish their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital," sad bin Farhan.
He emphasised that "We appreciate all positive efforts that aim to achieve peace," while still not naming the recent deal and adding that "any efforts to suspend" Israel's annexation plans was "appreciated."
Saudi Arabia has remained silent on the Israel-UAE peace agreement, which was announced last week, establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries, triggering a severe backlash in parts of the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Maas confirmed Berlin's support for the deal, while also condemning the recent coup in Mali and expressing support for continuing efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Libya.