BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hosted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin during the Emirati leader’s state visit to Germany. The event commenced with a formal ceremony on Sept. 10 at the historic lakeside villa, marked by the playing of the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed then reviewed a guard of honour before greeting senior German officials.
During the event, Sheikh Mohamed signed Villa Borsig’s VIP guestbook, highlighting the longstanding partnership between the UAE and Germany, which has grown through decades of diplomatic and economic cooperation. Steinmeier also welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, senior Presidential Court officials, ministers, and other government representatives involved in the visit.
This ceremony marked the first official state visit by a UAE president to Germany. The formal program, running from September 9 to 11, featured meetings with top German political leaders. Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier later discussed bilateral relations, regional issues, and international matters at Villa Borsig. Their conversations focused on cooperation and diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering peace, security, and stability across the Middle East.
UAE and Germany Enhance Their Strategic Alliance
Part of Sheikh Mohamed’s visit included discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The two governments unveiled plans for a Strategic Dialogue to bolster their existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004. This dialogue encompasses sectors such as security, defense, trade, investment, energy, climate change, innovative technology, digitalization, transportation, education, and culture. Both nations also endorsed establishing a German-UAE Investment Council to promote engagement between government bodies and private sector entities.
Economic relations played a key role during the broader state visit. UAE and German firms signed 29 business agreements and memoranda valued collectively at over €9.35 billion. Additionally, the UAE announced a €40 billion investment package in Germany, targeting digital infrastructure, data centers, energy, industry, and emerging technologies. Bilateral non-oil trade hit $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting a growth of more than 14% from 2024.
Visit Catalyzes Expanded Cooperation Across Sectors
Beyond trade and investment, the bilateral agenda included commitments to enhance cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, industrial development, defense, and environmental policies. The two nations also agreed to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges. Separate accords addressed police and security collaboration, mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, and simplified airport entry for eligible UAE citizens via Germany’s EasyPASS system. Discussions also covered civil aviation links and cooperation in traditional and emerging energy industries.
The meetings in Berlin situated the Villa Borsig welcome within a broader diplomatic framework. Sheikh Mohamed’s discussions with Steinmeier and Merz addressed longstanding bilateral ties along with economic and security collaborations. Both sides also deliberated on regional conflicts, international security, and diplomatic initiatives concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The state visit blended ceremonial occasions with political discussions and economic agreements, signaling a new chapter in more than fifty years of UAE-Germany relations.