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. The ceremony took place at the historic lakeside residence on Sept. 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany signaling the start. Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honor and then greeted senior German officials.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed signed Villa Borsig’s VIP guestbook, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between the UAE and Germany, built over decades of diplomatic and economic ties. Steinmeier also welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, key Presidential Court officials, ministers, and other government representatives on the visit.
This ceremony marked the first state visit of a UAE president to Germany. The official program spanned from September 9 to 11 and included high-level meetings with Germany’s top political figures. Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier later discussed bilateral relations, regional and international issues, including cooperation efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East at Villa Borsig.
UAE and Germany advance their strategic alliance
The visit featured discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. They announced a Strategic Dialogue to reinforce their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2004, focusing on security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate, emerging technologies, digitalization, transportation, education, and cultural exchanges. Both nations also endorsed creating a German-UAE Investment Council to enhance collaboration between government bodies and private enterprises.
Economic agreements played a key role in the broader visit. UAE and German firms signed 29 deals and memoranda worth over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the UAE announced a €40 billion investment package into Germany, targeting digital infrastructure, data centers, energy, industry, and emerging sectors. Bilateral non-oil trade hit $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting an increase of over 14% from 2024.
Expanding cooperation through diplomatic and economic initiatives
The agenda extended beyond trade and investment, with agreements to boost collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policies. Cultural and educational ties were also emphasized. Additional accords addressed police and security cooperation, mutual legal assistance, and facilitated airport entry for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions included civil aviation links and joint efforts in both traditional and emerging energy sectors.
The meetings in Berlin fit into a broader diplomatic framework, with Sheikh Mohamed’s discussions with Steinmeier and Merz reinforcing longstanding bilateral relations alongside new economic and security initiatives. The leaders also examined regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic strategies concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. Blending ceremonial events with formal negotiations and economic agreements, the visit marked a significant evolution in over fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.