BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan touched down in Berlin on Wednesday to commence a state visit to Germany. Following his entry into German airspace, his aircraft was accompanied by a German military plane. An official welcoming ceremony ensued, featuring a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first time a UAE president has undertaken a state visit to Germany. Sheikh Mohamed is in the country for discussions with senior German political leaders.
He traveled with a high-level delegation that includes representatives from foreign affairs, trade, industry, defense, national security, and advanced technology sectors. The delegation also includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh are among the other officials accompanying Sheikh Mohamed. Several presidential advisers and senior UAE officials also joined him in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed is scheduled to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Villa Borsig on Thursday as the official program progresses. The two leaders will hold bilateral talks with their delegations after the ceremonial welcome. Later that afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The German government states that discussions will focus on economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, regional peace, and stability. The agenda also includes regional and global developments relevant to the visit.
Focus on Strategic Alliances and Economic Relations
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, and a strategic partnership agreement was signed in 2004. This agreement covers political dialogue, trade, investment, and collaboration across various economic sectors. Prior to the visit, UAE officials reported bilateral trade reaching approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting an approximate 15% rise from the previous year. Around 2,000 German companies operate within the UAE, demonstrating decades of strong economic links.
Energy and technological cooperation are also vital components of UAE-Germany relations. Abu Dhabi’s 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 supplies power to roughly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE agreed in February to explore LNG supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets.
High-Level Talks Continue in Berlin
The German presidential agenda includes direct discussions between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by deliberations with their respective delegations. Steinmeier is also set to host a state banquet in honour of the UAE president on Thursday evening. Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery around 4 p.m. local time. The German government has highlighted that strengthening bilateral economic ties and broadening strategic cooperation will be central themes during these meetings.
This state visit follows Merz’s February trip to the Gulf, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The upcoming encounter renews their engagement within the framework of the UAE-Germany strategic partnership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019, when he was serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and met Steinmeier during that visit. His current visit marks his first official state visit to Germany as the President of the United Arab Emirates.