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 state visit to Germany. The formal proceedings took place at the historic lakeside residence on Sept. 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany marking the start of the ceremony. Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honor before engaging with senior German officials.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed left his signature in Villa Borsig’s VIP guestbook, emphasizing the long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship between the UAE and Germany that has been built over many decades. Steinmeier also greeted members of the accompanying UAE delegation, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, high-ranking Presidential Court officials, ministers, and other government representatives involved in the state visit.
This ceremony marked the inaugural state visit to Germany by a UAE president. The official itinerary spanned from September 9 to 11 and involved meetings with top German political leaders. Subsequently, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier discussed bilateral relations and regional and global issues at Villa Borsig. Their talks focused on enhancing cooperation and diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
UAE and Germany Expand Their Strategic Alliance
A significant component of the visit was the discussion between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. Both nations announced the initiation of a Strategic Dialogue aimed at reinforcing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue encompasses sectors such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technology, digitalization, transport, education, and culture. Additionally, both sides endorsed the formation of a German-UAE Investment Council to foster closer collaboration between government agencies and private sector entities.
Economic collaborations played a central role throughout the broader state visit. The UAE and German enterprises finalized 29 business agreements and memoranda worth over €9.35 billion collectively. Moreover, the two governments announced a UAE investment package totaling €40 billion for Germany, targeting areas such as advanced digital infrastructure and data centers. The wider economic agenda also includes energy, industry, and innovative technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade volume reached $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting an increase of more than 14% compared to 2024.
Enhanced Bilateral Cooperation Achieved During State Visit
The agenda extended beyond commerce and investment, as Germany and the UAE committed to strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policies. They also expressed support for deepening cultural and educational exchanges. Separate agreements covered police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and streamlined airport entry for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also included civil aviation links and collaboration across traditional and emerging energy sectors.
The diplomatic activities in Berlin complemented the broader diplomatic agenda between the UAE and Germany. The discussions involving Sheikh Mohamed with Steinmeier and Merz addressed both longstanding bilateral ties and new opportunities in economic and security cooperation. Topics such as regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic efforts concerning the Middle East and Ukraine were also on the table. The state visit combined ceremonial events, formal political dialogues, and economic agreements, signifying a new chapter in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.