Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed the importance of restoring freedom of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz 'as quickly as possible,' expressing Berlin's readiness to contribute military capabilities to securing the strait, provided that the war comes to an end and parliamentary approval is obtained.

According to Qatar News Agency, speaking at a joint press conference with Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Merz said that Germany and Switzerland are both heavily export-dependent countries whose economies rely on open trade routes and reasonable tariffs. He noted that the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz causes significant damage to both countries.

During their meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, the two sides stressed the importance of joint cooperation, particularly in light of the current tense international situation. Their talks also focused on European issues and foreign and security policy files, most notably the Ukraine file, as they reaffirmed their countries' continued efforts to pursue serious negotiations to end the war, with the participation of the US and Europe.