BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. After entering the national airspace, the presidential aircraft was accompanied by German military planes. The welcoming ceremony featured a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour to receive Sheikh Mohamed. This marks the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president. During his stay, Sheikh Mohamed will participate in meetings with top German political figures as part of a formal schedule in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed traveled alongside senior UAE officials overseeing foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, 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 present were Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Presidential advisers and other senior officials accompanied the UAE leader as preparations for high-level political and economic talks commenced between the two nations.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. Their discussions will include talks between the two presidents and delegation-level conversations. Later, Sheikh Mohamed will meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The German government highlights the agenda to include bilateral economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, and regional peace and stability. The official program also encompasses regional and international issues relevant to the state visit.
High-level talks focus on economic cooperation
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1972 and signing a strategic partnership agreement in 2004, the UAE and Germany have developed a multifaceted relationship involving political dialogue, investment, trade, and sectoral collaboration. Prior to the visit, UAE officials reported bilateral trade was approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting a growth of around 15% from the previous year. With roughly 2,000 German companies operating within the UAE, the commercial connection between both countries remains robust.
Energy and technological cooperation are significant components of the partnership. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in Germany’s Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which became fully operational in July 2025 and has a capacity of 476 megawatts, enough to power about 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE agreed in February to explore opportunities for LNG supplies to Germany and other European markets.
Recent exchanges pave the way for Berlin visit
The itinerary includes formal discussions between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by further meetings involving their respective delegations. The German president will also host a state banquet for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later in the afternoon, Merz will meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes strengthening economic ties and the broader strategic partnership as key themes of the visit. The agenda emphasizes trade, investment, and regional security issues.
This state visit follows Merz’s February trip to the Gulf region, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The current visit continues the direct engagement between UAE and German leaders. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 while serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, where he met Steinmeier and other officials. This trip marks his first official state visit to Germany since assuming the presidency of the United Arab Emirates.