BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter_Steinmeier hosted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin as part of the Emirati leader’s official visit to Germany. The formal gathering was held at the historic lakeside estate on Sept. 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany signaling the start of the event. Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honour before greeting high-ranking German officials.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He emphasized the enduring partnership between the UAE and Germany, which has grown over decades through 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 participating in the state visit.
This event marked the first state visit to Germany by a UAE president. The official schedule, spanning from Sept. 9 to 11, included meetings with Germany’s top political leadership. Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier later engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig focusing on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. Topics of their talks included cooperation between the two nations and diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
UAE and Germany advance their strategic alliance
The visit also featured discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The two governments unveiled a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue encompasses areas such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate change, emerging technology, digitalization, transportation, education, and culture. Both sides also endorsed the creation of a German-UAE Investment Council to boost cooperation between government bodies and private sector entities.
Economic arrangements played a significant role throughout the broader state visit. UAE and German companies signed 29 business agreements and memoranda, with a combined value exceeding €9.35 billion. Additionally, both governments welcomed a UAE investment package worth €40 billion in Germany. Key focus areas include digital infrastructure and data centers, along with broader economic sectors such as energy, industry, and innovative technologies. In 2025, bilateral non-oil trade reached $15.5 billion, reflecting an increase of over 14% compared to 2024.
State visit broadens cooperation across sectors
Beyond trade and investment, the diplomatic agenda also emphasized collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial growth, defense, and environmental policies. Both nations agreed to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges. Separate agreements covered police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and simplified airport entry for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also addressed civil aviation links and cooperation in conventional and emerging energy sectors.
The meetings in Berlin formed part of a larger diplomatic program between the UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s conversations with Steinmeier and Merz addressed both longstanding bilateral ties and new initiatives in economics and security. The two governments also discussed regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic efforts concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The visit combined ceremonial events with high-level political talks and economic agreements, signaling a new phase in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.