Jan 09 2010 |
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German minister heads for Riyadh to seek railway deals
Saturday, Jan 09, 2010
Gulf News
Riyadh German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle headed to Saudi Arabia yesterday on the second leg of a four nation-tour that will also take him to Qatar and the UAE.
This is his first trip to Saudi Arabia since assuming office.
Westerwelle was in Turkey yesterday on the first leg of his trip.
Westerwelle will hold talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Saud Al Faisal today.
They will also discuss the security risks emanating from Iran's nuclear programme, the recent armed infiltration of Al Houthi rebels into Saudi territory and the threat posed by Al Qaida operatives based in Yemen.
The main item on the agenda for Westerwelle's GCC tour is the ambitious Gulf railway project.
According to a source at the German embassy in Riyadh, Westerwelle will hold talks with the outgoing GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah about gaining a foothold in the project.
Talks will also focus on enhancing cooperation between Germany and the GCC states.
The GCC, in cooperation with the World Bank, is currently holding economic feasibility studies to link the member countries with the multi billion dollar rail project.
Deutsche Bahn
Qatar signed a $25 billion (Dh91.8 billion) rail project contract with Germany's Deutsche Bahn last November to build rail and underground lines in Qatar and Bahrain.
For Qatar's capital Doha, Deutsche Bahn will design and build a four-line metro system with 98 stations.
A high-speed rail line to neighbouring Bahrain is also planned, on which trains will reach speeds of 350 km/h.
The project is a joint venture between Qatari Diar, the real estate arm of the nation's sovereign wealth fund, with 51 per cent, and Deutsche Bahn with 49 per cent to execute the integrated network.
The German minister's talks will focus on securing more rail projects in Saudi Arabia — the largest exporter of petroleum in the world — and the UAE — the main business hub in the region.
Westerwelle is accompanied by top ranking government officials, senior executives of major companies and business leaders, who are scouting for regional investment opportunities.
The president of Deutsche Bahn will also be with the minister.
Peace process
The German diplomat told Gulf News that Westerwelle, during his talks with Saudi leaders, will review the situation in the Middle East and discuss the ways to bring about a new start in the Middle East peace process which has stalled.
Saudi Arabia has been playing a vital role in reviving peace talks.
Westerwelle, during his visit to Israel and the West Bank in November urged Israelis and Palestinians to be ready for compromise to achieve lasting peace in the region.
He asked Israel to immediately put an end to construction of colonies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
By Abdul Rahman Shaheen
© Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.
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