BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially received 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 from September 9 to 11. The national anthems of both nations opened the ceremony, after which Sheikh Mohamed inspected the guard of honour and greeted senior German officials present at the event.
Sheikh Mohamed also signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the long-standing relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, as well as their growing cooperation. Steinmeier welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with other ministers, senior officials from the Presidential Court, and government representatives involved in the state visit.
This visit represented the first-ever state visit to Germany by an UAE president. Following the formal reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig, focusing on their bilateral partnership and key regional and global issues. Their talks also covered cooperation in shared areas of interest, including diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
Leaders review growing UAE-Germany relations
As the official program progressed, Sheikh Mohamed held a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The agenda included discussions on economic, technological, cultural, and security collaborations. Germany and the UAE announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue within their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, addressing sectors such as trade, investment, defense, energy, climate, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Both nations also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to enhance economic cooperation.
During the political meetings in Berlin, numerous business and investment agreements were signed. A total of 29 accords and memoranda of understanding, valued at over €9.35 billion, were finalized. Additionally, the governments approved a UAE investment package worth €40 billion in Germany, targeting digital infrastructure, data centers, energy, advanced industry, and technology sectors. In 2025, non-oil trade between the two countries reached $15.5 billion.
State visit encompasses investment, security, and technological collaboration
The broader agenda extended to artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy cooperation. The UAE and Germany also committed to strengthening cultural and educational ties, with additional agreements 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, while officials discussed civil aviation and cooperation across conventional and emerging energy sectors during the visit.
The Villa Borsig event initiated a series of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These sessions combined formal diplomatic exchanges with discussions on trade, security, and technological advancements. Both nations also addressed regional conflicts and international security concerns, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit contributed new agreements and institutional frameworks, reinforcing a diplomatic relationship that has spanned over five decades between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.