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 Sept. 10. This ceremony was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s official visit to Germany from Sept. 9 to 11. The national anthems of both nations marked the beginning of the event. Sheikh Mohamed subsequently inspected the guard of honour and greeted senior German officials present for the occasion.
Sheikh Mohamed also signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the enduring bonds between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, alongside the growing scope of their collaboration. Steinmeier welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president to Berlin, which included 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 formal reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig, covering topics related to the UAE-Germany partnership and significant regional and international issues. They also reviewed ongoing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
Leaders examine deepening UAE-Germany cooperation
As the official program progressed, Sheikh Mohamed met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The conversations focused on economic, technological, cultural, and security collaborations. The two nations announced a new Strategic Dialogue designed to reinforce their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This framework encompasses trade, investment, defense, energy, climate change, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Both governments also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council aimed at enhancing economic engagement.
During the political meetings in Berlin, business and investment agreements were signed. UAE and German firms entered into 29 agreements and memoranda totaling over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the governments welcomed a UAE investment package worth €40 billion in Germany, targeting sectors such as digital infrastructure and data centers. The broader economic agenda also included energy, advanced industry, and technology. In 2025, non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion.
State visit emphasizes investments, security cooperation, and technological advancement
The agenda extended to artificial intelligence, industrial development, environmental policies, and energy collaboration. Cultural and educational ties are also set to deepen following agreements between the two nations. Other accords addressed police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany agreed to facilitate UAE citizens’ access to its EasyPASS airport entry system. Discussions also covered civil aviation links and cooperation across traditional and emerging energy sectors during the state visit.
The Villa Borsig event marked the beginning of a series of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These engagements combined diplomatic formalities with discussions on trade, investment, security, and technological innovation. Both countries also addressed regional conflicts and international security issues, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit added new agreements and institutional frameworks to the relationship, which has spanned over five decades of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.