BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for a formal state visit to Germany. As his plane entered German airspace, it was escorted by military aircraft, and 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 and includes high-level meetings with top German political leaders during an official agenda in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by senior UAE officials 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 discussions on political and economic matters at the highest levels.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. The leaders will hold bilateral talks, including meetings between their delegations. Later, Sheikh Mohamed will meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Federal Chancellery. The official agenda includes topics like bilateral economic cooperation, strategic partnership, regional peace, and stability, along with regional and international issues relevant to the state visit.
Trade and technology underpin high-level discussions
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1972, the UAE and Germany signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2004, encompassing political dialogue, investment, trade, and sector cooperation. Pre-visit data indicate bilateral trade reached about 13.6 billion euros in 2025, a 15% increase over the previous year. Around 2,000 German companies operate within the UAE, demonstrating extensive economic links.
Energy and technology are also key components of their relationship. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in Germany. This 476-megawatt project became fully operational in July 2025 and supplies electricity to roughly 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE agreed in February to explore liquefied natural gas supply options for Germany and European markets.
Recent exchanges set the stage for Berlin visit
Steinmeier’s itinerary includes official talks with Sheikh Mohamed, followed by discussions with both delegations. The German president will host a state banquet for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later, Merz is expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The main topics highlighted by the German government include strengthening economic ties and enhancing the broader strategic partnership. The discussions focus on trade, investment, and regional stability issues.
This visit builds on earlier diplomatic exchanges, such as Merz’s trip to the Gulf in February when he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed’s current trip continues direct engagement between the UAE and German leadership. Notably, Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, meeting Steinmeier and other officials. This marks his first state visit to Germany since assuming the presidency of the United Arab Emirates.