ALLAN, Jordan – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Jordan’s SESAME synchrotron laboratory on Tuesday during a state trip, underscoring Berlin’s growing support for the Middle East-based research facility.

Germany last year announced plans to become an Associate Member of SESAME, marking a step up from its role as an Observer since 2004. The country’s early backing included the donation of the BESSY I synchrotron, which helped establish SESAME as an intergovernmental organisation.

“I am fascinated by the cooperation of so many countries in the Middle East and worldwide,” Steinmeier wrote in the lab’s guest book, alongside SESAME Director Khaled Toukan and young researchers. “Germany continues to support this place of science in the years to come.”

SESAME, located north-west of Amman, is a third-generation light source facility whose members include Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine and Türkiye. Germany is the laboratory’s first Associate Member.

German State Secretary for Research, Technology and Space Marcus Pleyer said in a letter to SESAME Council President Rolf Heuer that the membership move was “an acknowledgment of the achievements of SESAME” and a signal of Germany’s commitment to science diplomacy.

Toukan welcomed Steinmeier’s visit, saying the laboratory had “put the Middle East and neighbouring regions firmly on the global science map.”