BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – During a state visit to Berlin, the United Arab Emirates and Germany expanded their bilateral partnership. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended the announcement of 12 government agreements and declarations. These agreements encompass sectors such as investment, energy, technology, aviation, security, environmental policy, legal affairs, and cultural exchanges. Additionally, both nations launched a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing coordination across various government sectors. These efforts extend their longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004.
Furthermore, the two governments committed to establishing a German-UAE Investment Council to foster closer engagement between public and private sectors. The resumption of the Joint Economic Committee will serve as another avenue for trade and investment dialogue. The Strategic Dialogue is set to address security, defence, commerce, energy, climate policy, transport, education, and digital technology cooperation. It will also promote collaboration on emerging technologies and shared policy areas. Germany and the UAE signed separate agreements concerning legal assistance, crime prevention, data systems, and government information services.
Aviation was also a focus during the visit, with new measures including expanded access for UAE national airlines to Berlin Airport. Other accords address passenger procedures and cooperation among relevant authorities. The package further includes agreements on defence, security, and environmental initiatives. The two nations signed a memorandum dedicated to cultural cooperation and agreed to continue collaboration in energy sectors such as liquefied natural gas, renewable energy, and hydrogen.
Economic Relations Strengthened by New Investment Initiatives
The visit featured a UAE investment plan worth 40 billion euros for Germany, targeting advanced digital infrastructure and the development of new data centres with approximately 1 gigawatt of capacity. Representatives from both countries signed 29 commercial agreements and memoranda valued at over 9.356 billion euros. These private sector deals complemented the government agreements announced in Berlin, adding a significant economic dimension to the broader cooperation agenda stemming from the state visit.
Highlighting the depth of their current economic ties, data shows that non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting a growth of more than 14% over the previous year. Cumulative investment flows from both sides exceeded $10 billion between 2021 and 2025. Notably, UAE-linked investments in Germany include XRG’s roughly 15 billion euro stake in Covestro. Both governments also acknowledged ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and the European Union.
Progress in Technology, Energy, and Transportation Collaboration
The broader commercial relationship includes projects involving Covestro, RWE, ADNOC, and Masdar. Energy cooperation spans LNG, renewable energy, and hydrogen, complemented by existing investments. Digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence are among the areas identified for increased cooperation, with formal channels established for government agencies and corporations to work together. The bilateral framework now also encompasses transport, environmental policy, and advanced technological development.
The state visit, taking place from September 9 to September 11, marks the first by a UAE president to Germany. Discussions in Berlin covered economic issues, technology, energy, culture, education, and regional concerns. The Strategic Dialogue and Investment Council will serve as new mechanisms to manage bilateral cooperation. The 12 government agreements are alongside 29 commercial deals and the 40 billion euro investment package. Altogether, these initiatives span public policy, infrastructure, trade, aviation, security, technology, and energy collaboration.