BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter_Steinmeier received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin as part of the Emirati leader’s official state visit to Germany. The formal event was held at the historic lakeside estate on Sept. 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany opening the ceremony. Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honour before greeting senior German officials present.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, highlighting the enduring partnership between the UAE and Germany, built over decades of diplomatic and economic collaboration. Steinmeier also greeted members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president, which 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 event marked the inaugural state visit to Germany by a president of the United Arab Emirates. The official schedule spanned from Sept. 9 to 11 and featured meetings with top German political leaders. Later, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier discussed bilateral relations, regional issues, and international concerns at Villa Borsig, focusing on cooperation and diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
UAE and Germany advance their strategic alliance
Discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took place at the Federal Chancellery during the visit. The two governments announced a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, initiated in 2004. This dialogue encompasses areas such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technologies, digitalization, transportation, education, and culture. Both sides also supported establishing a German-UAE Investment Council to foster greater engagement between government bodies and private sector entities.
Economic agreements played a central role throughout the broader state visit. A total of 29 business agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed by UAE and German companies, with a combined value exceeding €9.35 billion. The two governments also approved a UAE investment package worth €40 billion in Germany, targeting digital infrastructure, data centers, energy, industry, and emerging technologies. Bilateral trade excluding oil reached $15.5 billion in 2025, representing over a 14% increase compared to 2024.
Visit enhances cooperation across multiple sectors
Beyond trade and investment, the agenda included commitments to deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policies. They also agreed to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges. Separate agreements addressed police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and facilitating airport entry 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 complemented the wider diplomatic itinerary, with Sheikh Mohamed’s talks with Steinmeier and Merz emphasizing both longstanding bilateral ties and future economic and security cooperation. The discussions also touched on regional conflicts, international security issues, and diplomatic efforts regarding the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit combined ceremonial events with official political and economic engagements, signifying a new chapter in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.