BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to kick off a state visit to Germany. His aircraft was escorted by German military planes once it entered German airspace. A formal reception took place afterward, featuring a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first time a UAE president has undertaken a state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s agenda includes meetings with Germany’s senior political leadership during his stay.
Accompanying the UAE president was a high-ranking delegation representing various sectors, including foreign affairs, trade, industry, defense, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Also part of the group are Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Several presidential advisers and senior officials from the UAE also traveled with Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig as the official schedule continues. The two leaders will hold bilateral talks with their respective delegations following a ceremonial welcome. Later in the afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The German government states that their discussions will focus on strengthening economic ties, the strategic partnership, and regional peace and stability. Additionally, regional and international issues will be addressed as part of the official agenda.
Economic cooperation and strategic alliance in the spotlight
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, and in 2004, both nations signed a strategic partnership agreement. This framework encompasses political dialogue, trade, investment, and cooperation across various economic sectors. Prior to the visit, UAE officials announced that bilateral trade was approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting a roughly 15% increase from the previous year. More than 2,000 German companies are operating in the UAE, demonstrating longstanding commercial ties that span over fifty years.
Energy and technological collaboration are also key areas of the bilateral relationship. Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in Germany’s 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which became fully operational in July 2025 and can supply electricity to about 475,000 homes. Moreover, ADNOC and Germany’s RWE agreed in February to explore opportunities related to liquefied natural gas supply for Germany and other European markets.
High-level talks to continue as Berlin’s program unfolds
The German presidential program includes direct discussions between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by meetings with their respective delegations. Additionally, Steinmeier will host a state banquet in honour of the UAE president on Thursday evening. Around 4 p.m. local time, Merz is expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes that the key topics of their discussions will be strengthening bilateral economic relations and broadening the strategic partnership.
This state visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The upcoming meeting signifies the continuation of their engagement within the framework of the UAE-Germany strategic partnership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 when serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and met Steinmeier during that trip. The current visit is his first official state visit to Germany as president of the United Arab Emirates.