German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in the capital Berlin.
“THE SITUATION IN THE STRAIT OF HORmuz DAMAGES THE ECONOMY IN BOTH PORTUGAL AND GERMANY”
Merz and Montenegro held a joint press conference before their meeting.
German Chancellor Merz stated that one of the important topics in his talks with Montenegro was the latest situation in the Strait of Hormuz and said:
“We share the same awareness with Portugal about the importance of free and safe sea lanes and Iran’s blockade of this sea route. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is damaging the economy in both Portugal and Germany. That is why we are striving together to restore the freedom of the sea lanes as quickly as possible.”
“IRAN SHOULD COME TO THE NEGOTIATION TABLE AND STOP TRYING TO WIN TIME”
Reiterating that Germany is ready to take military action to permanently protect the security of maritime routes when the necessary conditions are met, Merz said:
“For this purpose, the first German ship has already set out for the Eastern Mediterranean. I argued that if the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, we need to increase sanctions pressure on Iran. Our common message is this. Iran must come to the negotiating table. He should stop trying to gain time. It should no longer hold the region and the whole world hostage. “The military nuclear program must be terminated once and for all, and the attacks on Israel and our partners in the region, as well as the latest attacks on civilian infrastructure, must also end.”
“A STRONG NATO IS IMPORTANT FOR BOTH EUROPE AND THE USA”
Touching on transatlantic relations, Merz said:
“We agree that a strong and united NATO is good for Europe and the United States. In these turbulent times, Germany therefore follows a clear transatlantic compass. We are implementing the agreement reached at the Hague Summit quickly and decisively. We do this not only for our own interests, but also for our common interests and based on our deepest belief. Our allies can count on this. In this context, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to our friends on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Regarding the US’s increase in customs duties towards Europe and the tensions in trade relations, Merz made the following sentences:
“Above all, we need planning security for the export economy. This prolonged uncertainty is damaging to both sides of the Atlantic, damaging both the US economy and the European economy. “I would very much welcome reaching a binding trade policy agreement as soon as possible, on the basis of last year’s agreement, where both parties have reached out and we can reach a conclusion on this issue.”
“WE HAVE A COMMON INTEREST IN PROTECTING THE TRANSATLANTIC AREA”
Merz spoke as follows in response to a question regarding the US decision to withdraw troops from Germany and not to station medium-range weapons in Germany:
“”The new national security strategy of the USA envisages a reduction in the number of soldiers, as well as new priorities for the US side. Fundamentally, the issue is the transatlantic security of NATO partners, both European and American. “We have a common interest in continuing to protect the transatlantic space, and on that basis I think we will achieve good results.”
“THE WHAT IRAN HAS DONE IS UNACCEPTABLE”
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated that diplomacy should be strengthened in resolving conflicts in the Middle East and said:
“”Conflicts cannot be resolved by division or factors that lead to division. The issue is the ability to establish dialogue between the two parties. Of course, we must convince those who have made a mistake that they have made that mistake and perhaps should reconsider their decision. “What Iran is doing is unacceptable, both in terms of its efforts to acquire nuclear capabilities, in terms of its impact on international trade, and incomprehensible attacks.”
