German, Saudi officials explore boosting joint counter-terrorism

RIYADH: A 20-member German delegation visited the Kingdom to hold talks with Saudi counterparts, and to discuss with Saudi think tanks and officials ways to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of security and counter-terrorism.
The delegation, which arrived on Saturday night, left on Tuesday and was led by Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp, president of the German Federal Academy for Security Policy, an inter-ministerial body that works under the federal chancellor’s office.
The program for the visit was coordinated between the Prince Saud Institute for Diplomatic Studies, part of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, and by the Federal Academy for Security Policy.
Michael Ohnmacht, chargé d’affaires and spokesman for the German Embassy, said the delegation’s visit to the Kingdom was the first of its kind.
The group comprised high-ranking officials from German ministries and other institutions, members of non-governmental bodies and representatives of the private sector.
Their goal was to better understand the threats and challenges facing the region, and to have an open exchange of ideas with their Saudi partners. Ohnmacht said the delegation was impressed by the quality of the exchange of ideas, and the openness of its Saudi hosts.
“Germany and the Kingdom are confronted with similar threats and challenges, and the best and most efficient way to overcome these challenges and to fight against terrorism and extremism is to enhance our cooperation, strengthen our ties and continue and deepen our dialogue,” he added.
The delegation met with Gen. Abdulilah Al-Saleh, secretary general of the Islamic Military Coalition for Counter Terrorism, to discuss common ways to fight terrorism and to boost security cooperation between the Kingdom and Germany.
The delegation also met with the secretary-general of the Muslim World League, Dr. Mohammad Alissa, and attended a seminar organized by the Institute for Diplomatic Studies.
It also attended lectures by experts in political science and political economy at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.
Ohnmacht said the delegation invited its Saudi partners and hosts to visit Germany in order to continue the dialogue, which was received positively.