BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – During a visit to Berlin on September 9-11, the United Arab Emirates and Germany strengthened their bilateral relations through a series of agreements and initiatives. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz observed the signing of 12 government accords and declarations. These agreements encompass sectors such as investment, energy, technology, aviation, security, environmental policy, legal affairs, and culture. As part of their efforts, the two nations also launched a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing coordination across various government departments. This initiative builds on their longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004.
Furthermore, the authorities agreed to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to foster closer collaboration between public and private sectors. They also resumed the Joint Economic Committee to facilitate ongoing discussions related to trade and investment. The Strategic Dialogue will address key areas including security, defence, commerce, energy, climate policy, transport, education, and digital development. Additionally, the framework will promote cooperation on emerging technologies and other shared policy interests. Germany and the UAE formalized their partnership with separate arrangements on legal assistance, crime prevention, data systems, and government information services.
Aviation also played a significant role during the visit, with new measures introduced to expand access for UAE national airlines operating at Berlin Airport. Other agreements address passenger procedures and cooperation among relevant authorities. The package further includes collaboration on defence, security, and environmental issues. The two countries signed a memorandum dedicated to cultural cooperation and agreed to continue their joint efforts in energy, focusing on liquefied natural gas, renewable energy, and hydrogen technologies.
Economic Cooperation Expanded Through Investment Initiatives
The visit featured a proposed UAE investment package valued at 40 billion euros for Germany. This plan targets investments in advanced digital infrastructure and the development of new data centres with approximately 1 gigawatt of capacity. Companies from both nations signed 29 commercial agreements and memoranda of understanding worth over 9.356 billion euros. These private-sector arrangements complement the government agreements announced in Berlin, adding a substantial economic element to the broader cooperation agenda.
Data on trade and investments highlight the significance of their economic ties. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion in 2025, representing a growth of more than 14% compared to the previous year. Cumulative investment flows from 2021 to 2025 exceeded $10 billion. Notable UAE-related investments in Germany include XRG’s approximately 15 billion euro stake in Covestro. The two governments are also in ongoing negotiations to establish a comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and the European Union.
Progress in Technology, Energy, and Transportation Sectors
The broader commercial partnership involves projects with Covestro, RWE, ADNOC, and Masdar. Energy cooperation spans LNG, renewable energy, and hydrogen, complemented by existing investments. The framework also emphasizes digital infrastructure development and artificial intelligence, with formal channels created for government agencies and companies to collaborate. Key areas of focus include transportation, environmental policy, and advanced technology, incorporated into the new bilateral cooperation structure.
This state visit, the first by a UAE president to Germany, took place from September 9 to September 11. It featured meetings in Berlin covering economic affairs, technology, energy, culture, education, and regional issues. The establishment of the Strategic Dialogue and Investment Council introduces new mechanisms for managing the bilateral relationship. The 12 government agreements are complemented by 29 commercial deals and the 40 billion euro investment package, collectively addressing public policy, infrastructure, trade, aviation, security, and technological collaboration.