BERLIN: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ deputy prime minister and foreign minister, met Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin on March 4, officials said. The meeting took place during a working visit and focused on UAE-Germany strategic relations and ways to strengthen a comprehensive strategic partnership across several sectors. They also reviewed regional developments, including what the UAE described as Iranian missile attacks that targeted the UAE and other countries in the region and their implications for regional security and stability.
In the UAE account of the talks, the ministers explored avenues of bilateral cooperation and reviewed the partnership in the economic, investment, trade and industrial sectors, as well as renewable energy, food security, science and advanced technology. They discussed ways to enhance and develop relations to serve shared interests and to support a more advanced and prosperous partnership, according to the statement. The Emirati side said the meeting was attended by Minister of State Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability Abdulla Balalaa and UAE Ambassador to Germany Ahmed Alattar.
Sheikh Abdullah said in the Berlin meeting that UAE-Germany relations reflect constructive cooperation based on a shared vision to support stability and foster prosperity, the statement said. He added that the continued growth of the partnership underscores the depth of ties and the two governments’ interest in expanding work in vital sectors that support development and sustainable economic prosperity. The countries have maintained a strategic partnership since 2004 and have broadened cooperation in areas including renewable energy, while keeping regular contacts on regional and global issues.
Bilateral economic and energy links
Germany and the UAE maintain intensive diplomatic relations, and their strategic partnership was agreed in April 2004, according to the German foreign office. In September 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to revitalise the partnership during a visit to the Emirates, it said. The German foreign office said the Emirates were Germany’s most important business partner in the region in 2023, with bilateral trade of more than 14 billion euros and a 150% rise in German imports from the UAE.
It also said about 1,200 German companies have offices in the UAE, many serving as regional headquarters, while the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce supports bilateral trade from bases in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. An energy partnership aimed at promoting cooperation on renewable energies was expanded into an energy and climate partnership in November 2021, the German foreign office said. The foreign office said cultural links include the Goethe-Institut’s regional office in Abu Dhabi and a language training centre in Dubai, along with German schools in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai.
Regional security discussions
On regional issues, the UAE said the ministers discussed the serious situation after Iranian missile attacks that it said targeted the UAE and other brotherly and friendly countries. They reviewed the importance of intensifying international efforts to consolidate security and stability and of adopting diplomatic solutions to avoid further tension and escalation, according to the UAE statement. Earlier this week, the UAE foreign ministry said Sheikh Abdullah also held phone calls with foreign ministers and officials to discuss the latest developments and their implications for regional security.
The Berlin meeting was attended by Minister of State Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability Abdulla Balalaa and UAE Ambassador to Germany Ahmed Alattar, the UAE said. The UAE said the talks reviewed strategic relations and focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and industry, as well as renewable energy, food security, science and advanced technology, while maintaining dialogue on regional developments. The discussions formed part of ministerial contacts between the two countries, as officials examined bilateral cooperation and the regional situation – By Content Syndication Services.