BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin during the Emirati leader’s official visit to Germany, with the formal proceedings taking place at the historic lakeside estate on Sept. 10. The opening ceremony was marked by the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed first inspected a guard of honour before greeting senior officials from Germany.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, highlighting the enduring partnership between the UAE and Germany, built through decades of diplomatic and economic collaboration. Steinmeier also welcomed members of the UAE delegation that accompanied 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 involved in the visit.
This ceremony marked the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president. The official program, running from September 9 to 11, included meetings with top German political leaders. Later, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues at Villa Borsig, focusing on cooperation between the two nations and diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
UAE and Germany bolster strategic alliance
The visit also featured discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery, where both governments announced a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue encompasses security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technology, digitalization, transport, education, and culture. Both sides also endorsed the creation of a German-UAE Investment Council to deepen cooperation between government entities and private sector firms.
Economic accords played a major role throughout the broader state visit, with UAE and German companies signing 29 business agreements and memoranda valued at over €9.35 billion in total. Additionally, the two governments announced a UAE investment package worth €40 billion in Germany, targeting areas such as advanced digital infrastructure and data centers, along with energy, industry, and innovative technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting a growth of over 14% from 2024.
Visit advances multifaceted cooperation
Beyond trade and investment, the agenda included commitments to bolster collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial growth, defense, and environmental policies. The two nations also agreed to deepen cultural and educational exchanges. Separate agreements addressed police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, and facilitating easier airport access for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. They also explored civil aviation links and cooperation in conventional and emerging energy sectors.
The meetings in Berlin framed Sheikh Mohamed’s visit within a broader diplomatic context, highlighting both longstanding bilateral ties and new avenues for economic and security cooperation. Discussions with Steinmeier and Merz touched on regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic efforts concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The visit combined ceremonial events, official meetings, and economic agreements, signifying a new chapter after more than fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.