BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended a formal welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on September 10, marking a significant moment in their diplomatic relations as part of Sheikh Mohamed’s official visit to Germany from September 9 to 11. The ceremony was inaugurated with the playing of the national anthems of both nations, after which Sheikh Mohamed inspected the honor guard and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the event.
During his visit, Sheikh Mohamed also signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the deep-rooted connections and growing cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Steinmeier welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed, 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 participating in the state visit.
This visit represented the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president. Following the official ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig, focusing on the longstanding partnership between the UAE and Germany as well as important regional and international issues. Their conversations also addressed collaborative efforts in diplomacy aimed at fostering peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
Leaders explore deepening UAE-Germany collaborations
As the official agenda progressed, Sheikh Mohamed held a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery, where the discussions covered a broad spectrum of cooperation including economic, technological, cultural, and security sectors. The two nations announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue that will oversee their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which encompasses trade, investment, defense, energy, climate initiatives, transportation, education, digital innovation, and emerging technologies. Additionally, both governments expressed support for the establishment of a German-UAE Investment Council designed to bolster economic ties further.
In conjunction with these political talks, numerous business and investment agreements were signed, with 29 memoranda of understanding totaling more than €9.35 billion between UAE and German firms. The governments also approved a UAE investment package worth €40 billion for projects in Germany, particularly in digital infrastructure and data centers, while also emphasizing collaborations in energy, advanced industries, and technological development. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached a value of $15.5 billion in 2025.
State visit emphasizes investments, security cooperation, and technological advancements
The broader agenda of the visit included discussions on artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy collaborations. The UAE and Germany also agreed to strengthen their cultural and educational exchanges, while formal agreements addressed police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany further agreed to facilitate the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. The officials also deliberated on civil aviation partnerships and cooperation in traditional and emerging energy sectors during the visit.
The ceremony at Villa Borsig marked the beginning of a series of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz, which combined diplomatic formalities with strategic discussions on trade, investment, security, and technology. Both nations also engaged in dialogue about regional conflicts and international security issues, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit added new agreements and institutional frameworks to a relationship that has spanned over fifty years of diplomatic engagement between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.