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 by German military planes once it crossed into German airspace. A formal reception was held, featuring a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first time a UAE president has undertaken a state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed is in the country to hold discussions with top German political leaders.
Sheikh Mohamed arrived with a senior delegation encompassing officials from foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology sectors. The group includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Also present are Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Several presidential advisors along with other high-ranking UAE officials accompanied Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig as part of the ongoing official program. After a ceremonial welcome, the two leaders will engage in talks alongside their delegations. Later that afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The German government states that their discussions will focus on economic ties, the strategic partnership, and regional peace and stability. The agenda also includes regional and international issues relevant to the visit.
Focus on Strategic Alliance and Economic Cooperation
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany began in 1972, with a strategic partnership formalized in 2004. This framework promotes political dialogue, trade, investment, and collaboration across various economic sectors. According to figures released by the UAE before the visit, bilateral trade was approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting an estimated 15% increase over the previous year. The UAE is home to around 2,000 German companies, highlighting decades of strong business ties.
Energy and technological collaboration are also vital components of the relationship. Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in Germany’s 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm. Fully operational since July 2025, the project supplies electricity to nearly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE agreed in February to explore opportunities for supplying liquefied natural gas to Germany and other European markets.
Berlin Agenda Continues with High-Level Negotiations
The German itinerary includes direct discussions between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by meetings involving their respective delegations. Steinmeier will host a state banquet in honour of the UAE president on Thursday evening. Later, at around 4 p.m. local time, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes that strengthening bilateral economic relations and broadening the strategic partnership will be central themes of their discussions.
This state visit comes after Merz’s trip to the Gulf in February, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their upcoming meeting emphasizes the ongoing strategic partnership between UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed previously traveled to Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and met Steinmeier during that visit. The current visit is his first official state trip to Germany as President of the United Arab Emirates.