BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter_Steinmeier received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on Sept. 10, marking a key moment in their diplomatic engagement. The event was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Germany from Sept. 9 to 11, with the national anthems of both nations playing to commence the gathering. Sheikh Mohamed then inspected the guard of honour and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the ceremony.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed also signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the longstanding partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, along with their growing 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, other ministers, senior officials from the Presidential Court, and representatives from the government participating in the state visit.
This visit represented the first-ever state visit by a UAE president to Germany. Following the formal ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier conducted discussions at Villa Borsig, focusing on bilateral relations and significant regional and international issues. The two leaders also reviewed areas of mutual interest within their cooperation, including diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
Leaders focus on deepening UAE-Germany cooperation
The official program continued with Sheikh Mohamed’s meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. Their talks covered sectors such as the economy, technology, culture, and security. Additionally, Germany and the UAE announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue, designed to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This framework encompasses trade, investment, defense, energy, climate, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging tech sectors. Both governments also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council aimed at boosting economic collaboration.
Economic and investment agreements took center stage alongside political talks in Berlin. UAE and German businesses signed 29 agreements and memoranda valued at over €9.35 billion. The governments also approved a UAE investment fund worth €40 billion for Germany, focusing on digital infrastructure and data centers. The broader economic agenda included energy, advanced industries, and technology sectors. In 2025, non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion.
Investment, security, and technological cooperation at the forefront of the state visit
The comprehensive agenda extended into artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental strategies, and energy collaboration. Both nations committed to strengthening cultural and educational ties. Other agreements addressed police cooperation and mutual legal assistance regarding criminal cases. Germany agreed to facilitate the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. Discussions also covered civil aviation and cooperation across conventional and emerging energy sectors during the visit.
The Villa Borsig event launched a sequence of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz, combining diplomatic formality with discussions on trade, security, and technological advancement. Both countries deliberated on regional conflicts and global security concerns, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit resulted in new agreements and institutional frameworks, adding to the over five decades of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.