BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to undertake his inaugural state visit to Germany. Following his entry into German airspace, his aircraft was accompanied by a German military plane. The official reception that followed featured a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first time a UAE president has made a state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed is in Germany to hold discussions with the country’s senior political leaders.
Traveling with a high-level delegation, the UAE president’s entourage encompasses officials responsible for foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. Among them are Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. The delegation also includes Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Several presidential advisers and other senior UAE officials have 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. The two heads of state will engage in discussions with their respective delegations after the ceremonial welcome. Later in the day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The German government has announced that their talks will focus on economic relations, the strategic partnership, as well as regional peace and stability. The agenda also includes regional and international issues relevant to both nations.
Focus on Strategic Alliances and Economic Cooperation
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Germany date back to 1972, with a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2004. This framework fosters political dialogue, trade, investment, and cooperation across multiple economic sectors. Pre-visit figures from the UAE indicate bilateral trade reached approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting a roughly 15% increase from the previous year. Around 2,000 German companies are operating within the UAE, exemplifying the extensive commercial links cultivated over more than fifty years.
Energy and technology are also key pillars of the bilateral relationship. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar owns a 49% stake in Germany’s 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which became fully operational in July 2025 and can supply electricity to approximately 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy company RWE agreed in February to explore LNG supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets.
Berlin Engagement Continues with High-Level Negotiations
The German diplomatic agenda includes direct talks between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, complemented by discussions involving their delegations. On Thursday evening, Steinmeier will host a state banquet honoring the UAE president. At around 4 p.m. local time, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government has emphasized that strengthening bilateral economic relations and enhancing the broader strategic partnership will be key topics during the meetings.
This state visit comes after Merz’s trip to the Gulf in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The upcoming meetings signify a continuation of the UAE-Germany strategic partnership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 while serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, where he met Steinmeier during that trip. The current visit is his first official state visit to Germany since becoming President of the United Arab Emirates.