Germany–Saudi Arabia relations

Germany–Saudi Arabia relations refers to the international relations between Germany and Saudi Arabia.

Germany-Saudi Arabia relations
Map indicating locations of Germany and Saudi Arabia

Germany
Saudi Arabia

History

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Germany were formed as early as 1929, with the signing of a treaty between the Weimar Republic and the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd.[1] The relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and Saudi Arabia were established in 1954.[1]

Controversies

Funding of mosques
The construction of the King Fahd Academy in Germany was funded by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia funds the construction and maintenance of several mosques in Germany.[2] Several politicians have alleged that the Saudi-funded mosques are a "breeding ground for Islamic extremism".[3]

Arms exports

Germany was one of the top weapons exporters to Saudi Arabia, with an export volume of 450 million Euros in the third fiscal quarter of 2017.[4] In 2018, after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Germany halted arms exports to Saudi Arabia, which has strained relations.[5][6][7]

Diaspora

German diaspora in Saudi Arabia

There is a small community of Germans working in Saudi Arabia, as a number of German companies have a presence in the kingdom.[8] The German International School in Jeddah and German International School in Riyadh cater to the educational needs of the children of diplomats, as well as the diaspora.

Saudi diaspora in Germany

There is a small Saudi diaspora in Germany, which includes mostly students and few individual women refugees who have fled the kingdom due to its patriarchical laws.[9]

Cultural ties

The 2019 film The Perfect Candidate is the first example of a major Saudi-German coproduction.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Saudi Arabia, Germany long-standing partners in changing times". Arab News. 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  2. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Germany to curb mosque funding from Gulf states | DW | 28.12.2018". DW.COM. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  3. "'Saudi-funded mosques breeding extremism'". www.thelocal.de. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  4. "'Makes no difference': Saudi minister slams German arms ban". www.aljazeera.com. 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  5. "Britain urges Germany to ease curbs on arms sales to Saudi". AP NEWS. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  6. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Germany sells arms to members of Saudi-led Yemen coalition | DW | 02.04.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  7. Noack, Rick (2019-03-27). "Germany halted all arms exports to Saudi Arabia. It worked too well, and now Berlin is looking for a way out". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  8. "Ambassador sees Germans coming soon to Saudi Arabia 'in large numbers' as Kingdom opens doors to world tourists". Arab News. 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  9. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Saudi women refugees in Germany: Still living in fear | DW | 19.02.2019". DW.COM. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  10. "'The Perfect Candidate,' a Saudi movie to debut in German language". Arab News. 2020-01-10. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
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