BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter_Steinmeier hosted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin during the Emirati leader’s official state visit to Germany. The ceremony was held at the historic lakeside estate on Sept. 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany opening the event. Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honour before greeting senior German officials.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, highlighting the enduring partnership between the UAE and Germany cultivated through decades of diplomatic and economic ties. 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 ceremony marked the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president. The official itinerary ran from September 9 to 11 and involved meetings with Germany’s top political leaders. Later, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier conferred at Villa Borsig on bilateral matters, regional issues, and global concerns. The discussions focused on 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
Part of the visit included talks between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The two governments announced plans to establish a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, initiated in 2004. This dialogue encompasses security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technology, digitalization, transport, education, and culture. Both sides also supported the formation of a German-UAE Investment Council to foster greater collaboration between government agencies and private sector entities.
Economic agreements played a significant role during the broader state visit. UAE and German firms signed 29 business agreements and memoranda with a total value surpassing €9.35 billion. Additionally, the two governments approved a UAE investment initiative worth €40 billion in Germany. Key sectors include digital infrastructure and data centers, with wider economic activities covering energy, industry, and emerging technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade hit $15.5 billion in 2025, representing an increase of over 14% from 2024.
Diplomatic efforts broaden cooperation between the two nations
Beyond trade and investment, the UAE and Germany committed to expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policies. They also aimed to deepen cultural and educational exchanges. Separate agreements addressed police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, and facilitating airport entry for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. Additionally, discussions covered civil aviation links and cooperation in conventional and emerging energy sectors.
The diplomatic engagements in Berlin extended beyond the Villa Borsig welcome, forming part of a broader diplomatic agenda between the UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s talks with Steinmeier and Merz centered on both longstanding bilateral relations and new areas of economic and security collaboration. The discussions also covered regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic efforts concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit blended ceremonial events with formal political discussions and economic agreements, signifying a new phase in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.