From 6 to 9 June 2022, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck is travelling to Israel, the Palestinian territories and, for the first MENA Europe Future Energy Dialogue, to Jordan. The trip will focus on cooperation on the energy transition and climate action as well as on innovations and high-tech developments.

Prior to his departure, Federal Minister Robert Habeck said: “The eastern Mediterranean region is facing huge challenges – among them political tensions, social inequalities, the repercussions of the war in Syria and the tangible effects of the climate crisis. The various crises are interwoven. It becomes very clear in this region in particular that security policy and climate policy really must be drawn together and that limiting global warming to a tolerable level is a matter of urgency.”

The Minister continued: “We can, however, tackle these many different problems if we seize the opportunities offered by comprehensive climate action. For example, the expansion of renewables, the production of hydrogen and technological innovations can create new economic prospects and new forms of cooperation. Indeed, some are already emerging. We want to consolidate these developments as best we can, so as to enable growing cooperation within the region as well as closer cooperation between Germany and the European Union on the one hand and the eastern Mediterranean region on the other. This will be a focal point of my talks in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan.”

During what is his first official visit to Israel since taking office, Federal Minister Robert Habeck will meet, among others, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Jair Lapid, Economy and Industry Minister Orna Barbivay and Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, who is also responsible for climate action. He will also meet representatives of Israeli and German businesses and of civil society. His talks will concentrate on issues relating to cooperation on innovation and technology, as well as on the challenges posed by the energy transition and the climate crisis.

In addition, Habeck will visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
“Because of our history, Germany bears a special responsibility. Israel’s security is part of Germany’s raison d’état. This Federal Government, like its predecessors, is committed to this continuity in the policy of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is an unalterable tenet underpinning our actions,” emphasised the Vice Chancellor.

In Ramallah, Federal Minister Habeck will hold talks with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Economy Minister Khaled Al-Osaily on the current political situation in the Palestinian territories, the fragile economic situation and energy supply challenges.

From there, Habeck will travel on to Jordan, where – together with co-host Jordan – he will open the first MENA Europe Future Energy Dialogue (MEFED), with around 800 participants. The aim of the conference is to anchor measures necessary for a climate-neutral economy and energy supply more firmly in international policymaking, and to work together to speed up their implementation. The conference is being attended by numerous ministers, as well as the heads of regional and international organisations, and representatives of the private sector, academia and NGOs from the region and the EU. They will discuss the further expansion of renewables, the hydrogen infrastructure and joint climate change mitigation projects.

While in Jordan, Minister Habeck will also learn about the state of the Dead Sea and visit the Al-Azraq refugee camp. Further, he will pay a visit to the Bundeswehr contingent at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base of the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

Further information on the first MENA Europe Future Energy Dialogue (MEFED): https://mena-europe-energy.org/