BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on Sept. 10. This official event was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to Germany, which took place from Sept. 9 to 11. The ceremony commenced with the national anthems of both nations, followed by Sheikh Mohamed inspecting the guard of honour and exchanging greetings with senior German officials present at the occasion.
Sheikh Mohamed also participated in signing the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He emphasized the enduring relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, along with their growing cooperation. Steinmeier welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president to Berlin, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, other ministers, senior Presidential Court officials, and government representatives involved in the state visit.
This visit was notable as the first time a UAE president has made a state visit to Germany. Following the formal reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig, focusing on the UAE-Germany alliance and key regional and international issues. Their dialogue also addressed joint efforts in areas of mutual interest, including diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
Leadership discuss expanding cooperation between the UAE and Germany
As the official program advanced, Sheikh Mohamed held a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The agenda included talks on economic, technological, cultural, and security collaboration. Germany and the UAE announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue within their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This framework encompasses sectors such as trade, investment, defense, energy, climate, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. The two governments also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to bolster economic engagement.
In addition to political talks in Berlin, business and investment agreements were signed. UAE and German companies finalized 29 accords and memoranda valued at over €9.35 billion. The governments also approved a UAE investment package totaling €40 billion for Germany. Promising sectors for this investment include digital infrastructure and data centers, while broader economic focuses covered energy, advanced industry, and technology. The non-oil trade volume between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion in 2025.
State visit emphasizes investment, security, and technological collaboration
The comprehensive agenda extended to artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy cooperation. The UAE and Germany committed to strengthening cultural and educational ties as well. Additional agreements encompassed police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany also agreed to support the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. Discussions during the visit included civil aviation collaborations and cooperation across conventional and emerging energy sectors.
The Villa Borsig ceremony marked the beginning of a series of high-level engagements involving Sheikh Mohamed, Steinmeier, and Merz. These meetings combined formal diplomatic interactions with negotiations on trade, investment, security, and technology. Both nations addressed regional conflicts and international security concerns, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. This state visit added new agreements and institutional frameworks to a relationship that has spanned over fifty years of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.