BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan touched down in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. After the presidential aircraft crossed into German airspace, it was escorted by German military planes. Upon arrival, Sheikh Mohamed was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president, and it includes meetings with top German political leaders as part of a formal schedule in Berlin.
Accompanying Sheikh Mohamed were senior officials from the UAE responsible for foreign affairs, trade, industry, defence, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation comprises Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber, as well as Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Presidential advisors and other senior figures joined the UAE leader as both nations prepared for high-level political and economic discussions.
On Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to host Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig. Their meeting will feature talks between the two presidents and their delegations. Later that day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will receive Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The official agenda covers bilateral economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, regional peace and stability, along with regional and international issues relevant to the state visit.
Economic cooperation underscores high-level discussions
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, with a strategic partnership formalized in 2004. Their relationship encompasses political dialogue, investments, trade, and cooperation across multiple sectors. According to UAE figures released before the visit, bilateral trade reached approximately 13.6 billion euros in 2025, reflecting a roughly 15% increase over the previous year. Around 2,000 German firms are active within the UAE, illustrating the depth of their commercial relationship.
Energy and technology also play significant roles in the partnership. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar holds a 49% stake in Germany’s Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which became fully operational in July 2025 with a capacity of 476 megawatts, capable of powering about 475,000 homes. Additionally, ADNOC and German energy giant RWE agreed in February to explore opportunities related to liquefied natural gas supplies for Germany and other European markets.
Berlin visit builds on recent diplomatic exchanges
The program for Steinmeier includes formal discussions with Sheikh Mohamed, followed by continued talks involving both delegations. The German president is also set to host a state banquet for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later in the afternoon, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes strengthening economic ties and broadening strategic cooperation as key topics. The meetings focus on trade, investments, and regional issues, shaping the main themes of the visit to Berlin.
This state visit follows Merz’s trip to the Gulf in February, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. The recent engagement continues the direct dialogue between the UAE and German leadership. Sheikh Mohamed’s previous visit to Germany was in 2019 when he was serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during which he met Steinmeier and other officials. His current trip is his first official state visit since becoming president of the United Arab Emirates.