German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have called for the establishment of a comprehensive regional security dialogue in the Middle East, drawing inspiration from the Helsinki process that eased Cold War tensions in Europe. The proposal, detailed in a joint article published by the Embassy of Germany in Qatar, advocates for an inclusive diplomatic framework that brings together all countries in the region to address shared security concerns without preconditions.

The appeal comes amid ongoing diplomatic momentum to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, highlighted by the recent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who served as a mediator. Qatar and other regional partners have played active roles in facilitating dialogue efforts aimed at de-escalation.

Steinmeier and Stubb compared the current state of the Middle East with Europe during the Cold War era, pointing to deep ideological divides, proxy conflicts, and flashpoints such as the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. They noted that during that time, 35 countries, including NATO members, Warsaw Pact states, and neutral nations, launched the Helsinki process, culminating in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. The leaders stressed that this process demonstrated that initial distrust need not prevent the start of dialogue, as the process itself helps build trust.

According to the two presidents, recent conflicts involving Iran have placed the Middle East at a critical juncture, with civilians in Gulf States, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran bearing significant humanitarian costs. The article highlights ongoing crises, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza, instability in the West Bank, political repression within Iran, and heightened security concerns near the Strait of Hormuz.

While recognizing the emerging diplomatic framework between the United States and Iran as a positive development, Steinmeier and Stubb underscored the necessity of a broader political process that moves beyond managing immediate crises. They proposed an inclusive, region-wide dialogue platform designed to identify common interests and promote sustained peace.

The presidents emphasized that the original Helsinki process succeeded largely due to its inclusivity, which allowed countries with varied political systems and security priorities to negotiate common principles, establish confidence-building measures, and gradually replace confrontation with cooperation. They urged that any future Middle East security architecture similarly engage all regional actors, with external powers serving constructive, supportive roles akin to the international efforts behind the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

Acknowledging the complex political, religious, and ethnic divisions that challenge the region, the leaders argued these complexities reinforce the necessity of structured diplomacy rather than hinder it. They warned that without an inclusive security framework, the Middle East risks growing fragmentation and increasingly volatile alliances.

Concluding their message, Steinmeier and Stubb recalled the Helsinki Final Act’s emphasis on improving relations and contributing to “peace, security, justice and cooperation.” They emphasized that what is needed is not trust or the resolution of longstanding grievances upfront, but the political will to pursue a structured alternative to conflict. Europe, they said, stands ready to support initiatives that advance lasting peace and cooperative security in the Middle East.