BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. Following his entry into German airspace, his aircraft was escorted by German military planes. An official welcoming ceremony took place afterward, featuring a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first time a UAE president has undertaken a state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s agenda includes meetings with senior German political leaders.
Accompanying the UAE president was a high-ranking delegation covering areas such as foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. The group includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber, Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi, and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Several presidential advisers and other senior officials from the UAE also traveled with Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will welcome Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig as the official program continues. The two leaders will hold bilateral talks with their respective delegations following the ceremonial reception. Later, in the afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The discussions are expected to focus on economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, and regional peace and stability. Additionally, regional and international developments are part of the official agenda for the visit.
Focus on Strategic Collaboration and Economic Relations
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, with a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2004. This framework encompasses political dialogue, trade, investments, and cooperation across various sectors of the economy. UAE officials projected bilateral trade to reach approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, representing a roughly 15% increase compared to the previous year. More than 2,000 German companies are active in the UAE, reflecting decades of close economic connections.
Energy and technology are also significant areas of collaboration. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar owns a 49% stake in Germany’s 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which became fully operational in July 2025 and supplies power to about 475,000 homes. In February, ADNOC and German energy company RWE agreed to explore opportunities for liquefied natural gas supply to Germany and other European markets.
Berlin’s Agenda Continues with Senior-Level Discussions
The official German program includes direct negotiations between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by discussions involving their respective delegations. Additionally, Steinmeier will host a state banquet in honour of the UAE president on Thursday evening. Later, around 4 p.m. local time, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral economic ties and deepening the strategic partnership as key topics during the meetings.
This state visit comes after Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their upcoming meeting marks a continuation of the UAE-Germany strategic partnership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and met Steinmeier during that visit. His current visit is the first official state visit to Germany since becoming President of the United Arab Emirates.