German president thanks Egypt for mediating role in Gaza conflict

CAIRO, Egypt

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked Egypt for its role as mediator in the Gaza war during his visit to the country on Wednesday.

In a joint statement with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi in Cairo, Steinmeier also called for further efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The statement expressed concern that the conflict continues to risk spreading into a broader regional conflagration.

"Every actor who has influence on both sides must use this influence," said Steinmeier.

Steinmeier said Germany is doing what it can, "and I know that Egypt is also playing a particularly important role here, a role that we in Germany greatly appreciate."

Al-Sissi in turn called on Europe to play its role in the conflict and exert pressure on Israel to achieve a ceasefire. He also accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon against the Palestinian population in Gaza.

The fact that the German government has sided so closely with Israel has cost Germany respect and sympathy in the region, but the Egyptian president on Wednesday refrained from publicly criticizing Germany.

Steinmeier likewise avoided any criticism of the Egyptian government's record on human rights.

Critics and rights groups have repeatedly criticized al-Sissi's regime for suppressing dissent, harassing critics and arbitrary justice.

Steinmeier, however, referred to his talks with civil society groups in Egypt and German political foundations: "My impression was that this country has a very active civil society, self-confident, ambitious people who want the best for themselves and their country."

Steinmeier emphasized Germany's humanitarian aid for Palestinians, asserting that Germany is also the world's second-largest donor to Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

"We have tripled our aid since 2023," Steinmeier said.

Al-Sissi, in turn, pointed out the heavy burden of refugees in his country. It had already taken in "more than 9 million guests" from Sudan, Libya and Yemen.

Steinmeier and al-Sissi also referred to the close bilateral relations between Germany and Egypt. Al-Sissi expressed his desire to expand cooperation, for example in the economic sector.

"We welcome German companies," he said, and assured potential business partners that their investments in Egypt would be protected.

The two countries have also been working together in education for a long time. In Cairo alone, there are seven German schools abroad and 29 other partner schools with German classes. Around 420,000 people in Egypt are learning German.

Steinmeier's trip is the first visit to Egypt by a German president in 25 years.