BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to conduct a formal state visit to Germany. His aircraft was accompanied by German military jets after crossing into the country’s airspace. Upon arrival, officials welcomed Sheikh Mohamed with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This marks the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president, which includes meetings with top German political figures during a structured agenda in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by senior UAE representatives overseeing foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation features Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Also present are Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Presidential advisers and other senior officials are part of the entourage as both nations gear up for high-level diplomatic and economic discussions.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. The day’s agenda includes talks between the two presidents and delegation discussions. Later, Sheikh Mohamed will meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The official talks will cover bilateral economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, and regional peace and stability, with regional and international issues also on the agenda for the state visit.
Economic Cooperation Shapes the High-Level Dialogues
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, with a strategic partnership formalized in 2004. This partnership encompasses political dialogue, investment, trade, and collaboration across various sectors. Pre-visit data from UAE sources estimates bilateral trade at approximately 13.6 billion euros for 2025, reflecting an increase of around 15% compared to the previous year. Around 2,000 German firms are active in the UAE, highlighting the significant economic connection between the two nations.
Energy and technological cooperation are also integral parts of the relationship. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar owns a 49% stake in the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in Germany, a 476-megawatt project that became fully operational in July 2025 and supplies electricity to roughly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and Germany’s RWE agreed in February to explore LNG supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets.
Recent Diplomatic Exchanges Build on Ongoing Engagements
Steinmeier’s schedule includes formal negotiations with Sheikh Mohamed, followed by further discussions with both delegations. The German president will also host a state dinner for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later that afternoon, Merz will meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes expanding economic ties and strengthening the broader strategic partnership as key objectives. The meetings will focus on trade, investment, and regional issues within the context of the visit.
This state visit follows Merz’s February trip to the Gulf, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their latest encounter continues the direct dialogue between the UAE and German leadership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, meeting Steinmeier and other officials during that visit. His current trip signifies his first official state visit to Germany since taking on the presidency of the United Arab Emirates.
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