BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on September 10. This event was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s official visit to Germany, which took place from September 9 to 11. The ceremony was opened with the national anthems of both nations. Following this, Sheikh Mohamed inspected the guard of honour and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the event.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed also signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the enduring relationship and growing collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Steinmeier extended his welcome to members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president to Berlin. The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with other ministers, senior officials from the Presidential Court, and representatives of the government involved in the state visit.
This visit marked the first-ever official state trip to Germany by a UAE president. After the initial formal reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, regional issues, and global developments. Both leaders reviewed areas of mutual interest and cooperation, including diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
Leaders explore deepening UAE-Germany cooperation
Later that day, Sheikh Mohamed met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery as part of the ongoing program. The conversations covered economic, technological, cultural, and security collaborations. Germany and the UAE announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue aimed at strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This framework encompasses trade, investment, defense, energy, climate, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Both governments also endorsed plans for a German-UAE Investment Council to foster economic engagement.
During the meetings in Berlin, numerous business and investment agreements were signed. UAE and German companies finalized 29 agreements and memoranda valued at over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the two governments approved a UAE investment package totaling €40 billion in Germany. Key sectors for investment included digital infrastructure and data centers, with other focus areas such as energy, advanced industry, and technology. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion in 2025.
State visit emphasizes investment, security, and technological ties
The broader agenda encompassed artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy cooperation. The UAE and Germany also committed to strengthening cultural and educational exchanges. Agreements were also reached on police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany agreed to facilitate the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. Discussions also covered civil aviation links and collaboration in conventional and emerging energy sectors during the state visit.
The Villa Borsig event marked the beginning of a series of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These engagements combined formal diplomatic talks with discussions on trade, investment, security, and technology. The two nations addressed regional conflicts and global security challenges, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit reinforced and expanded a relationship that has lasted for more than fifty years, adding new agreements and institutional frameworks to the longstanding ties between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.