BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on Sept. 10. This event was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Germany from Sept. 9 to 11. The ceremony commenced with the national anthems of both nations before Sheikh Mohamed inspected the guard of honour and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the occasion.
In addition to the formal welcome, Sheikh Mohamed signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He underscored the deep-rooted relations between the United Arab Emirates and Germany and highlighted their growing cooperation. Steinmeier extended a warm reception to members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president to Berlin, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 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 reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig. Their conversations focused on strengthening UAE-Germany relations and addressed key regional and global issues. They also evaluated areas of mutual interest, emphasizing diplomatic efforts aimed at peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
Leaders explore deepening collaborations between the UAE and Germany
During the continuation of the official program, Sheikh Mohamed held talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. Topics of discussion ranged from economic and technological cooperation to cultural and security partnerships. Germany and the UAE also announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue as part of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which includes sectors such as trade, investment, defense, energy, climate, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Both governments expressed support for establishing a German-UAE Investment Council aimed at boosting economic engagement.
In conjunction with the political meetings in Berlin, numerous business and investment agreements were signed. UAE and German companies formalized 29 agreements and memoranda valued at over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the two governments welcomed a UAE investment package amounting to €40 billion in Germany, with key sectors including digital infrastructure and data centers. The broader economic agenda also addressed energy, advanced industry, and technological innovation. In 2025, non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion.
Visit emphasizes investment, security cooperation, and technological advancement
The overall agenda extended to areas such as artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy collaboration. Both nations also committed to enhancing cultural and educational exchanges. Additional agreements covered police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal cases. Germany agreed to facilitate the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. Discussions also included civil aviation links and cooperation in traditional and emerging energy sectors during the state visit.
The Villa Borsig ceremony marked the beginning of a series of high-level engagements involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These meetings combined diplomatic protocol with discussions on trade, investment, security, and technological innovation. Both countries also addressed regional conflicts and international security concerns, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit resulted in new agreements and institutional frameworks that enhance a relationship spanning more than fifty years of diplomatic ties between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.