BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to commence a state visit to Germany. His aircraft was escorted by German military planes after crossing into German airspace. An official welcome, including a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour, took place afterward. This visit represents the first time a UAE president has made an official state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed is in the country for meetings with Germany’s senior political leadership.
Accompanying the UAE president was a senior delegation covering areas such as foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. The group 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. Several presidential advisers and other senior UAE officials also traveled with Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig as part of the official schedule. Following a ceremonial welcome, the two presidents will engage in bilateral discussions with their delegations. Later in the afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. According to the German government, topics on the agenda include economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, regional peace, and stability. The visit will also address regional and international developments.
Focus on Strategic Alliances and Economic Collaboration
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, with a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2004. This framework fosters political dialogue, trade, investment, and cooperation across various economic sectors. UAE officials, ahead of the visit, indicated bilateral trade reached approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, marking a roughly 15% increase from the previous year. More than 2,000 German companies operate within the UAE, reflecting over five decades of economic ties.
Energy and technology are also central to their cooperation. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in the 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in Germany. Fully operational since July 2025, the project can generate enough electricity to power about 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE agreed in February to explore possibilities for liquefied natural gas supplies for Germany and European markets.
Berlin Engagement Continues with Top-Level Negotiations
The German presidential program includes direct discussions between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, as well as meetings involving their respective delegations. On Thursday evening, Steinmeier will host a state banquet in honor of the UAE president. Around 4 p.m. local time, Merz will also meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes that strengthening bilateral economic relations and enhancing the broader strategic partnership are key topics of the talks.
This state visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their latest planned engagement brings the two leaders together again as part of the UAE-Germany strategic partnership. Sheikh Mohamed’s previous visit to Germany occurred in 2019 when he was serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during which he also met Steinmeier. His current visit is notable as his first official state visit to Germany as the UAE’s president.