Latest news with #ReemAlabaliRadovan
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
German minister backs Gaza statement signed by 28 countries
German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan expressed regret on Tuesday that Germany had not joined the 28 countries demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza, in a statement issued the previous day. The Social Democratic politician said the demand in the joint letter was "understandable," in comments to the Rheinische Post newspaper. "I would have wished for Germany to join the signal from the 29 partners," Alabali Radovan said. The letter was signed by 28 countries and the European Union. "What is happening in Gaza right now is unbelievable. Innocent children are dying. People are starving," she added. "What is needed now – not at some point – is an immediate and sustainable ceasefire." On Monday, the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including Italy, France, Austria, Britain, Belgium and Canada, as well as EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, signed a joint statement calling for the war in Gaza to "end now." Greece, Cyprus and Malta also joined the initiative. Germany - which for historic reasons sees its fate existentially tied to that of Israel - is not among the signatories. "The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the letter states. German Foreign Minister shares criticism Despite not signing the statement, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed his concern on X about the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza. He said he had telephoned with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, adding: "We urgently call on Israel to implement the agreements with the EU to enable humanitarian aid." Brussels has not published details of the conditions agreed with Israel for the provision of aid to Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had also spoken with Saar, telling him that "the killing of civilians seeking aid in Gaza is indefensible." "All options remain on the table if Israel doesn't deliver on its pledges," she wrote on X. Alabali Radovan further stated: "The civilian population in Gaza must not keep being crushed between the fronts. Children, families, the elderly – they need water, food, medical care and security." She appealed to the Israeli government: "International law must be observed! Allow aid deliveries to pass through unhindered! Permit safe humanitarian corridors and unimpeded access for the UN and humanitarian organizations!" Solve the daily Crossword
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Germany's Merz faces pressure to toughen stance on Israel
BERLIN, July 22 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure to take a firmer stance towards Israel, with members of his own coalition calling for Berlin to join a statement by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians. Merz, who leads Germany's centre-right CDU, has been increasingly critical of Israel. But Germany was notably absent from the joint statement issued on Monday by the EU and 28 Western countries including Britain and France, which called on Israel to immediately end the war. The countries condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid. Reem Alabali Radovan, international development minister in Merz's cabinet and a member of the centre-left SPD junior coalition partners, said on Tuesday she was unhappy with Germany's decision not to sign it. "The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners," she said. Merz's office says Germany's criticism of Israel is similar to that of other allies. Merz said on Tuesday he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "very clearly and very explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government's policy on Gaza". "Above all we see the great suffering of the civilian population there. That is why I would like to once again renew my call to truly provide the necessary humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The way the Israeli army is operating there is not acceptable," he said. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that although Germany did not sign the joint declaration, Merz and his foreign minister "expressed very critical views of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip yesterday – and in terms of substance and significance, said the same thing." "Their statements are in no way inferior to the joint declaration," Kornelius said. But the decision to withhold Germany's signature from the declaration follows many months in which Germany has taken particular care in public to restrain its criticism of Israeli actions. German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraeson, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust. They believe they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. German statements on Gaza typically include a demand for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. The joint statement that Merz declined to sign to this week stopped short of such a demand, although it noted that the hostages were suffering under worsening conditions. Merz is one of the few European leaders who has publicly offered to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without arresting him on a warrant for suspected war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Israel rejects the charges against Netanyahu and says they are political motivated. The ICC says all signatories of the court's founding statute, which include all 27 EU members, are obliged to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory. Critics of Merz's approach, including within the SPD coalition partners, say the legacy of the Holocaust cannot be an excuse for ignoring Israeli crimes, and, on the contrary, the post-Holocaust motto of "never again" should apply to Gaza now. 'The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss," said a joint statement by two senior SPD lawmakers - foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic and rapporteur for the Middle East Rolf Mützenich - who called for Berlin to join the joint declaration. There should be "clear and immediate consequences" for Israel, including the suspension of a pact governing EU-Israeli relations and a halt to the export of weapons to Israel that are used in violation of international law, they said.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt, Germany to expand partnership with new $109mln debt swap
Egypt and Germany are expanding their economic partnership with a focus on innovative financing and private sector investment, with a new €100m ($109m) tranche under a debt-for-development swap programme to be activated by mid-2026, Egypt's Planning and International Cooperation Minister said on Sunday. Speaking at a joint press conference, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said the visit of German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, sent a strong message of partnership at a time of significant global and regional sensitivity. Al-Mashat said the two countries enjoy a strategic partnership that has evolved into a comprehensive collaboration, with Germany being one of Egypt's largest European partners in development cooperation, trade, and investment. Around 1,600 German companies operate in Egypt with total investments exceeding €6 billion in sectors including the green transition and manufacturing. The trade volume between the two countries is approximately €6.8 billion. Al-Mashat highlighted several key areas of cooperation, including: DEBT-FOR-DEVELOPMENT SWAP: The total value of the Egypt-Germany debt swap programme is €340m, with the new €100m tranche to be activated in December 2025 and June 2026. The programme has funded projects in technical education, health, climate action, and water and sanitation. GREEN TRANSITION: Germany is a key supporter of the energy pillar of Egypt's 'NWFE' country platform, having allocated €258m in concessional financing, grants, and debt swaps to support the electricity network and the integration of renewable energy projects. Additionally, the German-financed PtX Development Fund provided €30m to Norway's Scatec for its green hydrogen project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. FINANCIAL COOPERATION: A financial cooperation agreement signed in May 2025 includes a €118m funding package for technical education and the integration of renewable energy into the grid. Al-Mashat said a new round of intergovernmental negotiations will be held by the end of this year to agree on priorities for the coming period. The minister also noted that Egypt values Germany's efforts within the European Union to finalise a €5bn macroeconomic support mechanism and budget support for Egypt. Al-Mashat said her discussions with her German counterpart included increasing development financing for the private sector through German financial institutions and establishing a new platform, similar to NWFE, to mobilise international partnerships for industrial development. She also highlighted the effective partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in developing technical education to support national employment priorities. 'Egypt's economy is showing notable improvement in growth indicators, and we are working on enhancing macroeconomic stability to attract more foreign investment,' Al-Mashat said, adding that these efforts are part of a national plan to structurally transform the economy towards export-oriented sectors.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt-Germany economic portfolio reaches $1.8bln: Al-Mashat
Arab Finance: The bilateral economic cooperation portfolio between Egypt and Germany has reached €1.6 billion, announced Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat. Al-Mashat noted that the joint portfolio aims to implement several development projects in various key sectors, including energy, climate change, water supply, and migration, among others, that contribute to sustainable economic development. The remarks came during the minister's meeting with Reem Alabali-Radovan, a German politician of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). The two officials touched upon the financial cooperation agreement signed between Egypt and Germany in 2022, at a value of €118 million (EGP 6.7 billion). Its scope covered a financial support agreement for the Comprehensive Technical Education Initiative to support the establishment of 25 Centers of Excellence (CoEs). Additionally, it included soft financing and grants for the ACWA Power 1 and 2 connection project, which is expected to generate 1,100 megawatts (MW) of wind power. This project is a part of the energy pillar of the Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy program (NWFE). Al-Mashat also announced the signing of a new tranche under the debt swap program at a value of €21 million (EGP 1.2 billion) to enhance renewable energy supplies. She also hailed the German side's participation in the launch of the second follow-up report of the National Platform for the NWFE program, as well as its contribution in financing energy-related projects during the COP27 climate conference in Egypt. This includes €258 million in concessional financing, debt swaps, and financial contributions to support the expansion of renewable energy projects. At the end of the meeting, Al-Mashat invited the German official to visit Egypt and follow up on joint projects implemented in cooperation between the two countries. Both sides plan to sign an agreement for the new tranche under the Egyptian-German debt swap program, scheduled to be activated in December 2025. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan, Germany discuss investment, vocational training
AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday held extensive talks with German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan focusing on strengthening economic, investment, and development cooperation. The discussions focused on enhancing economic, investment, and development cooperation, as well as regional developments and their broader implications, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. The ministers stressed the need for a clear, institutional approach to transforming the Jordanian-German partnership into deeper economic and development cooperation, particularly through enhanced engagement with the private sector. They also discussed potential cooperation in key areas, including water, energy, and vocational training, emphasising the importance of following up on the outcomes of His Majesty King Abdullah's April 2 visit to Germany, during which he met with representatives of German economic institutions and companies. The ministers also agreed to facilitate and activate meetings between private sector representatives from Jordan and Germany. They also reviewed the refugee situation, underscoring the need to sustain support for refugees, host countries, and UN agencies providing assistance. Safadi expressed appreciation for Germany's support of Jordan's economic development, particularly in the water sector, and for its continued assistance to Syrian refugees and UNRWA.
