BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. Following entry into German airspace, the presidential aircraft was escorted by military planes. Upon arrival, Sheikh Mohamed was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This trip is notable as the first state visit to Germany by a UAE president and includes meetings with top German political figures as part of a formal diplomatic agenda in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed is 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 and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Also present are Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. The UAE leader is joined by presidential advisers and other senior officials as both nations prepare for high-level political and economic discussions.
Scheduled to meet at Villa Borsig on Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will host Sheikh Mohamed. The engagement will include talks between the two presidents and delegation discussions. Later, Sheikh Mohamed will be received by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The official agenda covers bilateral economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, regional stability, and peace. The official program also highlights regional and international developments relevant to the visit.
Economic cooperation sets the stage for high-level discussions
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany date back to 1972, with a strategic partnership formalized in 2004. This relationship encompasses political dialogue, investments, trade, and multi-sector cooperation. According to figures released before the visit, bilateral trade was estimated at about 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting an approximate 15% increase from the previous year. Nearly 2,000 German companies operate within the UAE, demonstrating the significant economic ties between the two nations.
Energy and technological collaboration also feature prominently in their ongoing partnership. Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy firm Masdar owns a 49% stake in Germany’s Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, a 476-megawatt project that became fully operational in July 2025 and can power roughly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and the German energy company RWE agreed in February to explore LNG supply opportunities for Germany and other European markets.
Recent exchanges deepen Berlin-Abu Dhabi relations
German President Steinmeier is expected to hold formal talks with Sheikh Mohamed before continuing discussions with their respective delegations. On Thursday evening, Steinmeier will host a state banquet for the UAE leader. Later, Merz will meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery during the afternoon. The German government emphasizes strengthening economic ties and advancing the strategic partnership. Central topics include trade, investment, and regional stability, shaping the core of the Berlin agenda.
This state visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, during which he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The current visit maintains the momentum of direct engagement between UAE and German leadership. Sheikh Mohamed’s previous visit to Germany in 2019, when he was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, included meetings with Steinmeier and other officials. His present trip is his first as president of the United Arab Emirates to visit Germany on a formal state level.