BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. His presidential aircraft was accompanied by German military planes once it crossed into German airspace. The welcoming ceremony included a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour in Sheikh Mohamed’s honour. This marks the first time a UAE president has made an official visit to Germany. The trip also features meetings with key German political figures as part of a formal schedule in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by senior UAE officials responsible for foreign policy, trade, industry, defense, national security, and cutting-edge technology sectors. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan along with Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Other participants include Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Senior officials and presidential advisers are also part of the entourage, preparing for high-level economic and diplomatic talks between the two nations.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. Their discussions will involve both presidents and their respective delegations. Later, Sheikh Mohamed will be received by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The official agenda emphasizes strengthening bilateral economic relations, the strategic partnership, and regional peace and stability, with regional and international issues also featuring prominently in the discussions.
Economic Cooperation Shapes Key Diplomatic Interactions
The UAE and Germany established diplomatic ties in 1972, formalizing their relationship with a strategic partnership agreement in 2004. This alliance encompasses political dialogue, investments, trade, and cooperation across various sectors. Prior to the visit, UAE officials reported bilateral trade reaching approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, representing a 15% increase compared to the previous year. The presence of about 2,000 German companies operating within the UAE underscores the depth of their commercial relationship.
Energy and technology are also integral to UAE-Germany cooperation. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar owns a 49% stake in Germany’s Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm. Completed in July 2025, this 476-megawatt facility supplies power to roughly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy giant RWE agreed in February to explore liquefied natural gas supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets, further deepening their energy partnership.
Recent Exchanges Set the Stage for the Berlin Visit
German President Steinmeier will hold formal talks with Sheikh Mohamed before engaging in broader discussions with their respective delegations. A state banquet hosted by Steinmeier for the UAE leader is scheduled for Thursday evening. Additionally, Merz is expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery during the afternoon. The German government emphasizes enhanced economic ties and the strategic partnership as central themes of the visit. The meetings will focus on trade, investment, and regional stability issues.
This state visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The latest engagement continues the ongoing dialogue between the leaderships of the UAE and Germany. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, where he met Steinmeier and other officials. His current trip marks his inaugural state visit to Germany since assuming the presidency of the United Arab Emirates.