Renewable energy remains key area of cooperation

At the time of this writing, it’s been almost one and a half years since I took up my assignment as Germany’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The time since my arrival has been a tremendous experience for me and my family.
I have visited most regions of the Kingdom (11 to be exact) and have met people from all walks of life.
My wife and I have made friends and we feel very welcome in the Kingdom. 
Our countries share important interests and common goals.
We may not see eye to eye on all issues. But we are able to work together and to pursue common goals.
This refers to managing the turbulence in large parts of North Africa and the Middle East and to fighting terrorism.
We are well aware that Saudi Arabia is and remains an indispensable player when it comes to dealing with these challenges.
At the global level, too, our countries are faced with multiple crises, such as the massive movement of refugees. And as members of the G-20, Germany and Saudi Arabia continue to work together to address issues of development, security, energy and climate change.
Over the space of the past 12 months, we have had a series of high-level visits from Germany in order to intensify dialogue and cooperation.
The talks of Foreign Minister Steinmeier in Oct. 2014 were followed by a visit of Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs Gabriel who led the German delegation to the Joint Economic Commission in March.
In April, Prime Minister of Bavaria Horst Seehofer visited at the head of a top-level business delegation.
In all cases, the German side was received with great hospitality and at the highest level.
In August, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir visited Germany and met his German counterpart. Minister Steinmeier is expected to visit Saudi Arabia soon.
In terms of business, the German-Saudi relationship has seen very positive trends over the past years.
An increasing number of German companies are now investing in the Saudi market and Saudi companies continue to explore opportunities in Germany. 
Renewable energy remains one area which both of our countries have identified as key and which offers enormous potential for cooperation.
The decisions of the G-7 summit in Elmau, Germany in June have set the course toward a low-carbon global economy with the goal of transforming energy sectors by 2050.
Cultural cooperation has been one of the most interesting parts of my work, and perhaps the most rewarding, especially in fine arts, dance and cinema. It’s obvious that the Kingdom has much more to offer than many in Europe realize and there is much we can learn from each other.
Our two “crown jewels” in 2016 will be our role as guest of honor at the Janadriyah Festival and an exhibition of the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin to be shown in Riyadh on “Damascus and Baghdad as Early Islamic Capitals.”
The number of visas issued to Saudi nationals will reach a new record high in 2015 and has witnessed a continuous growth since 2011, thus giving more Saudis an opportunity to visit Germany.
In turn, we hope that an increasing number of Germans will be able to visit the Kingdom and that the visa procedures for them will become easier as well.
This supplement is a tribute to the state of our relationship.
I would like to seize the opportunity to thank all German companies and institutions who have contributed to this success by making it possible through their support, ideas and texts.
This supplement is also a source of information for all those who want to learn more about Germany and who wish to strengthen our bilateral ties. 
On our side, the embassy, our consulate general in Jeddah and I myself are fully committed to doing just that.
2015 marks the 25th anniversary of German unification, brought about by the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989.
On the occasion of our national day I extend my best wishes to my countrymen and women. And I thank all our Saudi friends for the greetings they have sent.

— Boris Ruge
Ambassador of Germany to Saudi Arabia