Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said he will raise human‑rights issues on his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, speaking for the Chancellor’s office, welcomed the recent progress. He noted that the human‑rights situation in Saudi Arabia is subject to different assessments, adding that the country has undertaken reforms and a cultural opening that have improved women’s rights, though further progress is still required: “Improvements are needed”.
Because the “full range of topics will be on the debate table” Merz will discuss human rights, Kornelius said, and he also referenced the annual EU‑Saudi Arabia human‑rights dialogue. The Chancellor will be in the Gulf states from 4 to 6 February, a trip aimed at strengthening and deepening Germany’s partnerships in the region, according to the official announcement.
