BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official visit to Germany. As the presidential aircraft crossed into German airspace, it was accompanied by German military jets. The welcoming ceremony included a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour for Sheikh Mohamed. This marks the first time a UAE president has undertaken a state visit to Germany, which includes meetings with top German political figures as part of a formal agenda in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied by senior UAE officials responsible for foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation features Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber, along with Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Presidential advisers and other senior officials also joined the UAE leader in preparations for high-level political and economic talks between both nations.
Scheduled to host Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday at Villa Borsig, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will hold discussions with the UAE leader and their delegations. Later that day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. According to Germany’s government, key topics include bilateral economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, regional peace, and stability. The official program also highlights regional and international developments as part of the state visit agenda.
High-level meetings centered on economic cooperation
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany began in 1972, culminating in a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2004. This alliance encompasses political dialogue, investments, trade, and collaborative efforts across various sectors. Reports released before the visit indicate bilateral trade reached approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, representing a roughly 15% increase from the previous year. The presence of around 2,000 German companies operating in the UAE underscores the depth of their economic ties.
Energy and technological collaborations are integral to the bilateral relationship. Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy firm Masdar owns a 49% stake in the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in Germany. Fully operational since July 2025, this 476-megawatt project supplies electricity to approximately 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE reached an agreement in February to explore liquefied natural gas supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets.
Berlin visit builds on recent diplomatic exchanges
The German President’s agenda includes formal discussions with Sheikh Mohamed, followed by further talks with both delegations. Steinmeier will also host a state banquet for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later in the day, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes strengthening economic relations and advancing the strategic partnership as central themes. Trade, investment, and regional security issues will be at the forefront of the meetings in Berlin.
This state visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their latest interaction continues the direct engagement between the UAE and German leadership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, meeting Steinmeier and other officials. His current visit is his first official state visit to Germany since becoming President of the United Arab Emirates.