BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. After entering German airspace, the presidential aircraft was accompanied by a German military escort. The officials welcomed Sheikh Mohamed with 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, which also includes high-level meetings with Germany’s top political leaders as part of an official program in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied by senior UAE officials responsible for foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation features Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Other members include Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Presidential advisers and other senior officials joined the UAE leader for the series of high-level political and economic discussions scheduled during the visit.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. Their meeting will feature conversations between the two presidents as well as deliberations involving their respective delegations. Later that day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The German government states that key topics on the agenda include bilateral economic collaboration, the strategic partnership, and regional stability and peace. Additionally, regional and international developments will also be part of the official agenda for the state visit.
Economic collaboration shapes the high-level discussions
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, and a strategic partnership agreement was signed in 2004. This relationship encompasses political dialogue, investment opportunities, trade, and cooperation across multiple sectors. Prior to the visit, UAE sources indicated bilateral trade was approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, representing an increase of about 15% from the previous year. Around 2,000 German companies have operations within the UAE, highlighting the depth of economic ties between the two nations.
Energy and technological cooperation are also integral parts of the existing partnership. Abu Dhabi renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in Germany. This 476-megawatt project became fully operational in July 2025 and has the capacity to supply power to roughly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE reached an agreement in February to explore LNG supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets, further strengthening energy collaboration.
Berlin’s diplomatic schedule builds on recent exchanges
The schedule includes formal talks between Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed before the delegations continue discussions. The German president will also host a state banquet for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later in the afternoon, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. Germany’s main focus areas during these discussions include enhancing economic relations and broadening the strategic partnership. Trade, investment, regional security, and stability will be central themes throughout the meetings in Berlin.
This official visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf in February, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The recent interactions demonstrate ongoing direct engagement between the UAE and German leadership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 while serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during which he met Steinmeier and other German officials. His current visit is notable as his first state visit to Germany since assuming the presidency of the United Arab Emirates.