BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter_Steinmeier extended a warm welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin, during the Emirati leader’s official state visit to Germany. The ceremony took place at the historic lakeside residence on September 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany opening the event. Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honor before engaging with senior German officials and greeting members of the diplomatic delegation.
During the formalities, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the longstanding partnership between the UAE and Germany, which has been built over decades through diplomatic and economic collaboration. German President Steinmeier also acknowledged members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, senior officials from the Presidential Court, ministers, and other government representatives involved in the state visit.
This event marked the first-ever state visit to Germany by a President of the United Arab Emirates, with the official itinerary spanning from September 9 to 11 and involving meetings with top German political leaders. Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier later conferred at Villa Borsig on matters concerning bilateral relations, regional stability, and international issues, discussing cooperation between the two nations and diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
UAE and Germany advance their strategic alliance
The visit also featured discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery, where both governments revealed plans for a Strategic Dialogue intended to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue encompasses areas such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate change, emerging technologies, digitalization, transportation, education, and cultural exchange. Additionally, both parties endorsed the formation of a German-UAE Investment Council to deepen engagement between governmental bodies and private sector entities.
Economic cooperation played a significant role in the broader scope of the visit, with UAE and German companies signing 29 commercial agreements and memoranda valued collectively at over €9.35 billion. Furthermore, the UAE announced a €40 billion investment package for projects in Germany, focusing on advanced digital infrastructure and data centers, alongside initiatives in energy, manufacturing, and innovative technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade soared to $15.5 billion in 2025, representing an increase of more than 14% from 2024.
The state visit broadens collaborative efforts between the two nations
Beyond trade and investment, the diplomatic agenda extended to cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policy, with both countries expressing support for strengthening cultural and educational ties. Separate agreements addressed police and security collaboration, mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, and facilitating easier airport entry for eligible UAE citizens through Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also covered civil aviation connectivity and cooperation in conventional and emerging energy sectors.
The meetings in Berlin positioned Villa Borsig’s welcoming setting within a broader diplomatic framework involving the UAE and Germany, where Sheikh Mohamed’s conversations with Steinmeier and Merz covered well-established bilateral relations as well as economic and security partnerships. Both nations also addressed regional conflicts, international security challenges, and diplomatic initiatives concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The overall state visit combined ceremonial events, formal political talks, and economic agreements, signifying a new chapter in the more than five-decade-long relationship between the UAE and Germany.