BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended an official welcome to 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 national anthems of both nations marked the beginning of the ceremony. Sheikh Mohamed proceeded to review the guard of honour and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the event.
Sheikh Mohamed also signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the deep-rooted connections 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, 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. Their talks focused on the UAE-Germany partnership, regional issues, and international developments. They also examined areas of mutual interest, including diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
Leaders discuss expanding bilateral ties between UAE and Germany
Later in the day, Sheikh Mohamed met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery as part of the scheduled program. The discussions covered a broad range of topics, including economic, technological, cultural, and security cooperation. The two sides announced the initiation of a new Strategic Dialogue, which will encompass their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This framework aims to facilitate cooperation in trade, investment, defense, energy, climate change, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Both governments also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to bolster economic collaboration.
During the meetings in Berlin, several business and investment agreements were signed. In total, UAE and German firms agreed on 29 contracts and memoranda valued at over €9.35 billion. Additionally, both governments welcomed a UAE investment package worth €40 billion for Germany, focusing on sectors like digital infrastructure and data centers. The broader economic discussion also included energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology. In 2025, non-oil trade between the two nations amounted to $15.5 billion.
State visit emphasizes investment, security, and technological collaboration
The overall agenda incorporated topics such as artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy collaboration. Moreover, the UAE and Germany agreed to enhance cultural and educational exchanges. The framework also included agreements on police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany consented to facilitate access to its EasyPASS airport entry system for qualified UAE citizens. Discussions also covered civil aviation ties and cooperation in both conventional and emerging energy sectors during the state visit.
The Villa Borsig ceremony marked the beginning of a series of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These sessions combined diplomatic protocol with discussions on trade, investment, security, and technological development. Both countries also addressed regional conflicts and global security concerns, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit resulted in new agreements and institutional arrangements that strengthen a relationship spanning more than fifty years of diplomatic engagement between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.