BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin during the Emirati leader’s official visit to Germany. The formal proceedings took place at the historic lakeside residence on Sept. 10. The ceremony opened with the national anthems of both the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed then inspected a guard of honour before greeting senior German officials.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He emphasized the enduring partnership between the UAE and Germany, highlighting decades of diplomatic and economic cooperation. Steinmeier also greeted members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president. This delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, senior Presidential Court officials, ministers, and other government representatives involved in the state visit.
This ceremony marked the first-ever state visit to Germany by a president of the United Arab Emirates. The official itinerary spanned from September 9 to September 11, featuring meetings with top German political leaders. Later, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier held discussions at Villa Borsig focused on bilateral relations and regional and international issues. Their talks included cooperation efforts and diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
UAE and Germany Expand Their Strategic Alliance
The visit also involved discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. Both governments announced the launch of a Strategic Dialogue to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue encompasses areas such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technology, digitalization, transportation, education, and culture. Additionally, both sides supported the formation of a German-UAE Investment Council to foster greater engagement between government entities and private companies.
Economic collaborations played a key role in the broader scope of the state visit. UAE and German companies signed 29 business agreements and memoranda with a total value exceeding €9.35 billion. The two nations also announced a UAE investment package worth €40 billion for projects in Germany. Priority sectors include advanced digital infrastructure and data centers, with a broader economic focus on energy, industry, and emerging technologies. In 2025, bilateral non-oil trade reached $15.5 billion, representing an increase of more than 14% from 2024.
Visit Promotes Broader Cooperation and Future Initiatives
The agenda of the state visit extended beyond trade and investment. Germany and the UAE agreed to deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policy. They also committed to strengthening cultural and educational ties. Separate agreements addressed police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, and facilitated airport access for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also covered civil aviation links and cooperation in conventional and emerging energy sectors.
The meetings in Berlin took place within a broader diplomatic framework between the UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s conversations with Steinmeier and Merz focused on solid bilateral ties, alongside economic and security partnerships. Both governments also discussed regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic strategies concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit combined ceremonial events with formal political negotiations and economic agreements, signifying a new phase in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.