ع
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received an official welcome from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Villa Borsig in Berlin as part of a two-day state visit that began the previous day. The ceremony featured the playing of both countries’ national anthems followed by an inspection of a guard of honour, according to the Emirates News Agency. Sheikh Mohamed signed the venue’s VIP guestbook and expressed satisfaction with the trip while highlighting the foundation of friendship and cooperation that underpins the relationship. Steinmeier greeted the accompanying UAE delegation, which includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan along with other senior advisers and ministers.
The two presidents held talks that focused on expanding the strategic partnership established in 2004 and reviewed opportunities to enhance cooperation in economic and development fields, a statement from the UAE Presidential Court indicated. They exchanged views on regional and international matters with particular attention to efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed pointed to the history of ties that predate the UAE’s formation in 1971 and have grown through sustained collaboration over more than 50 years. The discussions built on recent high-level engagements, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip to Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
Several multibillion-euro agreements are expected to emerge from the visit covering artificial intelligence, renewable energy and investment initiatives, Reuters reported ahead of the meetings. A dedicated German-Emirati Investment Council will be launched to direct capital toward long-term projects and create fresh avenues for businesses in both nations. The framework also encompasses technology cooperation that pairs German industrial expertise with UAE capabilities in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence applications.
Bilateral trade volumes reached 13.6 billion euros in 2025, a 15 percent rise from the prior year, according to German economic assessments that identify the UAE as the top Gulf partner. The UAE has committed more than 34 billion euros in investments to Germany, concentrated in energy and industrial projects, while over 2,000 German firms maintain operations in the UAE spanning engineering, services and transport sectors. These figures underscore an economic foundation that both sides seek to broaden through the current engagements.
Plans for closer defence and security coordination formed another element of the agenda with emphasis on joint work to counter drone threats and organised crime, a dpa international dispatch stated. The parties are finalising a memorandum of understanding on digital collaboration that includes expansion of data centre capacity and related infrastructure. Additional talks with Chancellor Merz at the Federal Chancellery were scheduled to address these priorities alongside foreign policy alignment on shared global challenges.
The state visit represents the first of its kind by a UAE president to Germany and follows a pattern of increasing high-level exchanges that have elevated the relationship beyond traditional energy ties. German officials have signalled interest in stronger partnerships in environmental policy and the fight against cyber threats as part of the expanded strategic dialogue. Delegations from both countries will continue working-level meetings in the coming months to implement outcomes from the Berlin discussions.
