February 4, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday, marking a high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Germany.
The official welcome for Chancellor Merz, who arrived earlier in the day on a state visit accompanied by a senior delegation, included a ceremonial reception at King Khalid International Airport, where he was greeted by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of the Riyadh Region, alongside senior Saudi officials, diplomats and government representatives.
At a formal meeting held at Al-Yamamah Palace, Prince Mohammed and Chancellor Merz held comprehensive talks reviewing multiple facets of Saudi-German relations, with an emphasis on expanding cooperation across economic, energy, investment and regional security sectors. Officials from both countries highlighted areas of mutual interest and explored opportunities to broaden collaboration in the years ahead.
The discussions also touched on regional and international developments, reflecting the shared interest of Riyadh and Berlin in addressing global economic shifts and geopolitical challenges. Observers noted that the visit comes at a time when both nations are actively engaging with partners to navigate complex global dynamics, including energy diversification and international security cooperation.
Analysts say the visit underscores Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of deeper economic ties with major European partners as part of its broader foreign policy agenda, which has included high-level exchanges with leaders from the United States, Turkey and other global capitals in recent months. Germany’s role as a leading economy in the European Union positions it as a key partner for Riyadh’s efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen bilateral trade relations.
The ministers and senior officials accompanying Chancellor Merz are expected to engage with Saudi counterparts on economic agreements and partnerships in subsequent meetings during the visit. This engagement aligns with ongoing efforts by both governments to address mutual opportunities in sectors such as technology, industry, and infrastructure development.
The meeting reinforces the trajectory of Riyadh-Berlin relations at a pivotal moment for global diplomacy one in which economic cooperation and strategic dialogue serve as pillars for long-term partnership between the two nations.