BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially greeted 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. Sheikh Mohamed then reviewed the guard of honor and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the event.
During his visit, Sheikh Mohamed also signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He emphasized the enduring relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, along with their growing collaboration. Steinmeier welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin, including 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 trip represented the first-ever state visit to Germany by an Emirati president. Following the formal reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig. Their talks focused on the UAE-Germany partnership and significant regional and global issues. They also examined areas of mutual interest, including diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
Leaders explore growth of UAE-Germany collaboration
As the official program advanced, Sheikh Mohamed met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. Their conversations covered economic, technological, cultural, and security cooperation. Germany and the UAE announced a new Strategic Dialogue to formalize their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, encompassing trade, investment, defense, energy, climate initiatives, transportation, education, digital innovation, and emerging technologies. Both governments also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council aimed at bolstering economic ties.
In conjunction with these diplomatic talks, business and investment agreements were signed in Berlin. UAE and German firms formalized 29 agreements and memoranda worth over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the governments approved a UAE investment package valued at €40 billion for Germany, targeting sectors such as digital infrastructure and data centers. The economic agenda also included energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors. In 2025, non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion.
State visit emphasizes investments, security, and technological progress
The broader agenda incorporated discussions on artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental strategies, and energy collaboration. Both nations agreed to enhance their cultural and educational exchanges. Additional agreements addressed police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany also consented to facilitate the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. During the visit, officials also discussed civil aviation connectivity and cooperation across traditional and emerging energy sectors.
The Villa Borsig event marked the beginning of a series of high-level meetings involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These engagements blended formal diplomatic interactions with negotiations on trade, investment, security, and technological advancement. The discussions also encompassed regional conflicts and international security issues, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit introduced new agreements and institutional frameworks, strengthening a relationship that has spanned over fifty years of diplomatic ties between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.