German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday thanked the emir of Qatar for his country’s mediation efforts to secure the release of hostages and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war.

During the conversation with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Meseberg Palace near Berlin, Scholz expressed his hope that the death of Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar would open up the opportunity for such an agreement, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

“Both agreed that lasting peace will require increased diplomatic efforts,” Hebestreit added.

In this context, the Israeli-Palestinian relationship is of particular importance, he said. Both agreed that a political process towards a two-state solution must be initiated.

The emir was visiting Germany for the second time within the past year.

Meetings at Meseberg Palace are considered a special honour, as Scholz rarely receives visitors from abroad there. French President Emmanuel Macron was most recently a guest at the palace.

Scholz’s government has sought to partner with Qatar to enable the deportation of Afghan citizens from Germany back to Afghanistan.

In August, 28 criminals were brought from Leipzig to Kabul by a Qatar Airways plane. The German government itself has no official contacts with Afghanistan’s hardline Islamist Taliban regime and therefore relies on help with deportations.

Qatar meanwhile maintains good relations with the Taliban.

Hebestreit did not comment on the question of whether Qatar would continue to help Germany deport Afghan criminals.

Qatar also maintains close ties to the Palestinian militant Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the allied Lebanese Hezbollah militia, which are both embroiled in wars with Israel, Germany’s close ally.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are considered terrorist organizations by the European Union.

The wealthy Gulf emirate is considered an important mediator in the Middle East conflicts involving Israel because of its ties with both groups.

Qatar, which is home to huge gas reserves, is also interested in investing in Germany and exporting liquefied natural gas to the country.