BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greeted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin during the Emirati leader’s official visit to Germany. The event took place at the historic lakeside villa 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 engaging with senior German officials, marking a significant diplomatic occasion.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed signed Villa Borsig’s VIP guestbook, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between the UAE and Germany, built over decades of diplomatic and economic collaboration. Steinmeier also welcomed 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 ceremony marked the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president. The official schedule spanned from Sept. 9 to 11, featuring meetings with top German political leaders. Later, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier held discussions at Villa Borsig concerning bilateral relations, regional stability, and international issues, with their talks focusing on cooperation and diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
UAE and Germany enhance their strategic alliance
Part of the visit involved talks between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The two governments announced a Strategic Dialogue aimed at bolstering their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue covers areas such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technology, digitalization, transport, education, and culture. Both nations also agreed to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to promote collaboration between governmental bodies and private sector entities.
Economic cooperation was a prominent focus during the broader visit. UAE and German firms signed 29 business agreements and memoranda valued collectively at over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the two governments approved a UAE investment package worth €40 billion in Germany, targeting sectors like digital infrastructure, data centers, energy, industry, and emerging technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $15.5 billion in 2025, representing an increase of more than 14% compared to 2024.
The state visit broadens collaboration in multiple sectors
Beyond investment and trade, the agenda included strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policy. Cultural and educational ties received support as well. Separate agreements addressed police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and facilitated airport entry for eligible UAE citizens through Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also covered civil aviation and cooperation in traditional and emerging energy sectors.
The diplomatic meetings in Berlin complemented the broader diplomatic exchange between the UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s conversations with Steinmeier and Merz addressed established bilateral relations, alongside discussions on economic and security cooperation. Both governments also deliberated on regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic initiatives concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit combined ceremonial events with formal political meetings and economic accords, representing a new phase in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.