AMMAN, Sept. 12 (Petra) – Germany and the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) center signed an agreement on Friday establishing Germany as the facility's first-ever associate member, marking a historic milestone for the international research organization.
According to a statement released by the center on Saturday, the agreement was finalized during a high-level ceremony hosted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Berlin, featuring SESAME Director Dr. Khalid Touqan and State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space Dr. Marcus Pleyer.
The pact formalizes a deep-rooted partnership between Berlin and the region's premier large-scale research facility. Touqan emphasized that Germany's elevation to associate member status injects immense scientific weight into the SESAME community, supercharging joint research opportunities, knowledge transfer, and technical integration across structural biology, materials science, environmental studies, and cultural heritage preservation.
"This is a resounding endorsement of science diplomacy as an instrument for global stability," Touqan stated, noting that Germany's contribution transcends funding a scientific installation to invest directly in a sanctuary of peace, dialogue, and stability in the Middle East.
Echoing this sentiment, State Secretary Bleiler underscored Berlin's long-standing commitment to fostering cutting-edge innovation and cross-border stability. "Science knows no borders, and science diplomacy is more crucial than ever," Pleyer said, adding that the membership represents an investment in both global research pathways–from structural biology to green energy–and the vital stability and prosperity of the Middle East through peaceful cooperation.
Jordanian Ambassador to Germany Fayez Khouri highlighted that Germany’s accession embodies a shared belief that science serves as a vital bridge for communication and rapprochement. He noted that the partnership opens new horizons for trust-building and collaborative discovery while equipping the next generation of regional physicists, engineers, and young researchers with world-class tools and networks.
//Petra// AA
