BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended a warm welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin as part of the Emirati leader’s official visit to Germany. The official reception was held at the historic lakeside villa on Sept. 10, with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany playing to mark the occasion. Following the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed inspected a guard of honour before greeting senior officials from Germany.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed signed the VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig, emphasizing the enduring partnership between the UAE and Germany, which has been built over decades of diplomatic and economic collaboration. Steinmeier also welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, senior officials from the Presidential Court, ministers, and other government representatives participating in the state visit.
This ceremony marked the first time a UAE president made a state visit to Germany. The official itinerary spanned from Sept. 9 to 11, featuring meetings with top German political leaders. Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier later engaged in discussions at Villa Borsig focused on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. Their talks covered cooperation strategies and diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and stability within the Middle East.
UAE and Germany advance their strategic alliance
Part of the visit involved negotiations between Sheikh Mohamed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The two governments revealed plans for a Strategic Dialogue designed to bolster their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue addresses areas including security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate change, emerging technology, digitalization, transportation, education, and culture. Additionally, both sides supported forming a German-UAE Investment Council to deepen engagement between governmental bodies and private sector entities.
Economic cooperation was a key aspect of the broader state visit. UAE and German firms signed 29 business agreements and memoranda worth over €9.35 billion combined. Furthermore, the two governments announced a UAE investment package totaling €40 billion in Germany, targeting advanced digital infrastructure, data centers, energy, industry, and emerging technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade hit $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting an increase of more than 14% from 2024.
Expanded bilateral collaboration during the official visit
The agenda extended beyond trade and investment, with both countries agreeing to enhance cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policies. They also committed to strengthening cultural and educational links. Separate accords covered police and security collaboration, mutual legal assistance on criminal cases, and facilitating easier airport access for eligible UAE citizens through Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also included civil aviation connections and cooperation across traditional and emerging energy sectors.
The meetings in Berlin framed the Villa Borsig welcome within a wider diplomatic context between the UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed’s conversations with Steinmeier and Merz focused on the established bilateral ties as well as economic and security cooperation. The discussions also addressed regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic initiatives concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. Combining ceremonial events with high-level political talks and economic agreements, this state visit signaled a new chapter in more than fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.