BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended an official welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on September 10. This formal reception was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Germany from September 9 to 11. The national anthems of both nations marked the beginning of the ceremony. Sheikh Mohamed inspected the guard of honour and exchanged greetings with senior German officials present at the event.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He emphasized the enduring relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, highlighting 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, along with other ministers, senior officials from the Presidential Court, and government representatives participating in the state visit.
This visit represented the first time a UAE president made a state visit to Germany. Following the official reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier held bilateral discussions at Villa Borsig. Their conversations focused on the UAE-Germany partnership as well as key regional and global issues. They also reviewed areas of mutual interest, including diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
Leaders examine growing UAE-Germany relations
Later, Sheikh Mohamed met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery as part of the ongoing program. Their talks covered economic, technological, cultural, and security collaborations. Germany and the UAE announced the launch of a new Strategic Dialogue within the framework of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This initiative encompasses trade, investment, defense, energy, climate, transport, education, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Both nations also endorsed plans to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to bolster economic cooperation.
In addition to the political meetings in Berlin, numerous business and investment agreements were signed. A total of 29 accords and memoranda of understanding worth over €9.35 billion were exchanged between UAE and German companies. Furthermore, the governments expressed support for a UAE investment package worth €40 billion aimed at Germany, with targeted sectors including digital infrastructure and data centers. The broader economic agenda also included energy, advanced industry, and technology sectors. In 2025, non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion.
State visit emphasizes investment, security, and technological cooperation
The comprehensive agenda extended to artificial intelligence, industrial growth, environmental policies, and energy collaborations. The UAE and Germany also committed to strengthening cultural and educational ties. Additional agreements covered police cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Germany agreed to facilitate the use of its EasyPASS airport entry system for eligible UAE citizens. Discussions also focused on civil aviation links and collaboration in both traditional and emerging energy fields during the state visit.
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 exchanges with discussions on trade, investment, security, and technological advances. Both nations also addressed regional conflicts and international security issues, including developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. The visit resulted in new agreements and the establishment of institutional frameworks, reinforcing a relationship that has spanned over fifty years between the United Arab Emirates and Germany.