BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan touched down in Berlin on Wednesday to commence a state visit to Germany. His aircraft was escorted upon crossing into German airspace by military aircraft, followed by an official reception that featured a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the inaugural state visit to Germany by a UAE president, with Sheikh Mohamed engaging in talks with Germany’s top political leaders during his stay.
Accompanying the UAE president was a high-level delegation covering areas such as foreign affairs, commerce, industry, defense, national security, and cutting-edge technology. The delegation includes 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. Several advisors and senior officials from the UAE government also traveled with Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig for the official proceedings. The two heads of state will hold bilateral discussions after the ceremonial welcome, followed by meetings with their respective delegations. Later in the afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. According to the German government, key topics will include economic relations, the strategic partnership, as well as regional peace and stability. The agenda also encompasses regional and international developments relevant to both nations.
Focus on Strategic Collaboration and Economic Engagement
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1972, the UAE and Germany have formalized their relationship through a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2004. This agreement fosters political dialogue, trade, investment, and cooperation across various economic sectors. Prior to the visit, UAE officials reported bilateral trade reaching approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, representing an estimated 15% growth compared to the previous year. Currently, about 2,000 German companies operate within the UAE, reflecting decades of commercial cooperation.
Energy and technological collaboration also remain significant components of the partnership. Abu Dhabi-based 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 supplies electricity to approximately 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy giant RWE agreed in February to explore LNG supply opportunities for Germany and wider European markets.
Berlin Engagement Continues with Top-Level Negotiations
The German presidential schedule involves direct discussions between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by dialogues involving their delegations. Steinmeier is also set to host a state banquet in honour of the UAE president on Thursday evening. Furthermore, Merz is expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery around 4 p.m. local time. Germany’s government has outlined that the core topics of the meetings will include enhancing bilateral economic relations and strengthening the broader strategic partnership.
This official visit follows Merz’s February trip to the Gulf, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their upcoming meeting signifies continued efforts to solidify the UAE-Germany strategic alliance. Sheikh Mohamed’s previous visit to Germany in 2019, during his tenure as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, included a meeting with Steinmeier. The current visit is his first as UAE president, emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the two nations.