BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for a state visit to Germany. His aircraft was escorted into German airspace by military planes, and a formal reception was held afterward, featuring a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit signifies the first time a UAE president has made a state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s agenda in Germany includes discussions with senior political leaders of the country.
Accompanying the UAE president was a high-ranking delegation covering areas such as foreign affairs, trade, industry, defense, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation 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, Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh, and several presidential advisors along with other senior UAE officials, all of whom traveled with Sheikh Mohamed to Berlin.
The official program continues on Thursday with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcoming Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. Following a ceremonial reception and delegation talks, the two presidents are expected to hold discussions. Later in the afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. According to Germany’s government, the meetings will cover economic relations, regional peace and stability, and the strategic partnership. The agenda also includes regional and international issues relevant to the visit.
Focus on Strategic Collaboration and Economic Relations
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, and a strategic partnership agreement was signed in 2004. This framework encompasses political dialogue, trade, investment, and cooperation across multiple economic sectors. Prior to the visit, UAE officials estimated bilateral trade reached around 13.6 billion euros in 2025, marking an approximate 15% rise from the previous year. The UAE hosts roughly 2,000 German companies, a testament to over fifty years of economic connectivity.
Energy and technology sectors play a significant role in the bilateral relationship. Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar owns a 49% stake in Germany’s 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which became fully operational in July 2025 and has the capacity to supply electricity to approximately 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE reached an agreement in February to jointly explore liquefied natural gas supply opportunities for Germany and European markets more broadly.
High-Level Bilateral Talks Continue in Berlin
Sheikh Mohamed’s visit includes direct discussions with President Steinmeier, followed by talks with their respective delegations. On Thursday evening, Steinmeier will host a state banquet in honour of the UAE leader. Later in the day, around 4 p.m. local time, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes that strengthening economic ties and deepening the strategic partnership are among the main topics of these discussions.
This state visit follows Friedrich Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The current meetings reaffirm the ongoing UAE-Germany strategic collaboration. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during which he met Steinmeier. His current visit marks his first official state visit to Germany as the President of the United Arab Emirates.