At the end of her trip to the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed that the Federal Government intends to be more restrictive on arms exports in future and that human rights criteria will play a central role in decisions.

In a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Samih Schukri on Saturday in Cairo, Baerbock pointed out that this also affected Egypt.

"Of course, this will also affect countries that have previously been major recipients of German arms exports," said the Greens politician.

Christian Meier

Political correspondent for the Middle East and Northeast Africa.

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For the last three years in a row, Egypt has been one of the most important recipients of German arms supplies.

In 2021, arms exports worth more than nine billion euros were approved from Germany, more than ever before.

These included deliveries worth more than 4.3 billion euros to Egypt.

First of all, it is about air defense systems and equipment for the Navy.

After criticizing the exports to the authoritarian country, the Federal Ministry of Economics, led by the Green Robert Habeck, pointed out that the decisions were made by the previous black-red government.

Shortly before the change of government, the grand coalition had also approved further arms exports worth more than 4.9 billion euros.

Of these, too, a considerable part is said to go to Egypt.

"Open and honest"

Politicians in the traffic light coalition in Berlin have announced several times that they will be stricter on arms exports.

Baerbock said in Cairo that a law would be introduced in parliament later this year that would restrict arms exports to crisis areas.

Exceptions should only be made in justified individual cases and after careful examination.

Baerbock said she spoke "openly and honestly" with those she spoke to about the human rights situation in Egypt;

observers regard this as very questionable.

Shukri replied at the press conference that Egypt does not make relations with other countries conditional.

The basis is mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.

He also pointed out that the Egyptian military is making an important contribution to stability and security in the region.

This applies, for example, to curbing illegal migration to Europe and to action against terrorist groups.

In addition to Foreign Minister Schukri, Baerbock also met President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi.

The topics of discussion included the Middle East conflict, in which Egypt plays the role of mediator, and climate policy.

Egypt is hosting this year's world climate conference in November.

The cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Amman had been previous stops on Baerbock's almost four-day trip to the Middle East.