BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – During an official visit to Berlin, the United Arab Emirates and Germany enhanced their bilateral collaboration. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the signing of 12 government agreements and declarations. These cover sectors including investment, energy, technology, aviation, security, environmental policy, legal affairs, and culture. Additionally, both nations initiated a Strategic Dialogue aimed at coordinating efforts across various government domains. These initiatives build upon their established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has been in place since 2004.
A new German-UAE Investment Council will facilitate closer cooperation between the public and private sectors, as agreed by both governments. The Joint Economic Committee, which was previously active, has been reactivated to support trade and investment discussions. The Strategic Dialogue is set to address security, defence, commerce, energy, climate policy, transport, education, and digital development. It will also promote collaboration on emerging technologies and other shared policy areas. Separate agreements covering legal assistance, crime prevention, data systems, and government information services were also signed by Germany and the UAE.
Aviation emerged as another key focus during the visit, with new measures including increased access for UAE national airlines operating at Berlin Airport. Additional documents addressed passenger procedures and cooperation between relevant authorities. The package also emphasizes partnerships in defence, security, and environmental sectors. Furthermore, the two nations signed a memorandum dedicated to cultural cooperation and agreed to continue joint efforts in energy, with specific attention to liquefied natural gas, renewable energy, and hydrogen.
Expansion of Economic Ties through Investment Initiatives
The visit featured an investment plan from the UAE valued at 40 billion euros for Germany, focusing on advanced digital infrastructure and new data centres with approximately 1 gigawatt capacity. Companies from both countries signed 29 commercial agreements and memoranda totaling over 9.356 billion euros. These private sector deals complement the government agreements announced during the Berlin visit. The investment plan adds a significant economic component to the broader cooperation agenda and the state visit itself.
Current UAE-Germany trade figures reflect the depth of their economic relationship, with non-oil trade reaching $15.5 billion in 2025—a rise of more than 14% compared to the previous year. Cumulative investments between 2021 and 2025 have exceeded $10 billion. Notable UAE-linked investments in Germany include XRG’s approximately 15 billion euro investment in Covestro. Both governments also highlighted ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and the European Union.
Advancements in Technology, Energy, and Transportation Collaborations
Commercial projects involving companies such as Covestro, RWE, ADNOC, and Masdar are integral to the broader economic partnership. Energy cooperation encompasses LNG, renewable energy, and hydrogen, alongside existing investments. Digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence are also among the sectors targeted for expanded collaboration, providing formal channels for government agencies and corporations to work together. Additionally, the bilateral framework now includes transport, environmental policy, and advanced technology initiatives.
The state visit, held from September 9 to September 11, marks the first visit by a UAE president to Germany. Discussions in Berlin covered a range of topics, including economic affairs, technology, energy, culture, education, and regional issues. The establishment of the Strategic Dialogue and Investment Council introduces new official mechanisms to oversee bilateral cooperation. These 12 government agreements are complemented by 29 commercial deals and the 40 billion euro investment package, collectively spanning public policy, infrastructure, trade, aviation, security, technology, and energy sectors.