Germany and United Arab Emirates Deepen Strategic Ties During Historic State Visit in Berlin

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin for an official two-day state visit, marking the first time an Emirati head of state has conducted a formal state visit to Germany. The high-profile diplomatic mission comes as both governments actively seek to reinforce their strategic alliance, expand cross-sector economic cooperation, and navigate increasingly volatile international geopolitical conditions.

The visit commenced on Thursday morning with full military honours, where German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier formally welcomed the Emirati leader. The ceremonial reception preceded intensive diplomatic engagements aimed at solidifying ties between Europe’s largest economy and the influential Gulf nation. Later in the evening, a state banquet was held in honour of Sheikh Mohamed, setting the tone for expanded intergovernmental collaboration.

During his address at the state banquet, President Steinmeier addressed the turbulent climate dominating the international arena. He observed that long-standing certainties across the globe are deteriorating, emphasizing that the current period of international unpredictability requires steadfast collaboration between dependable allies. Steinmeier directly framed the high-level talks around the imperative for rational and stable partnerships in an increasingly fractured global landscape.

The broader security situation in the Middle East formed a critical backdrop to the discussions. With ongoing regional instability linked to the war on Iran impacting Gulf nations, Steinmeier made specific reference to recent Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates. He underscored that the timing of Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to the German capital was particularly apt given these emerging security challenges.

Steinmeier further stressed that mutual assistance and pragmatic cooperation are now more vital than ever before. He noted that both Germany and the UAE represent reliable, rational partners capable of offering substantial strengths to one another in times of shifting global alignments. According to the German head of state, the bilateral relationship is anchored in a reciprocal commitment to stability and strategic problem-solving.

Following his reception with the federal president, Sheikh Mohamed proceeded to the Chancellery for private consultations with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The bilateral talks between the two leaders built upon groundwork established earlier in the year, when Chancellor Merz travelled to Abu Dhabi in February for preliminary discussions on bilateral relations and regional security matters.

A central objective of the two-day visit is the conclusion of extensive economic and industrial agreements. Emirati officials confirmed that multi-billion-euro deals are scheduled to be finalized during the diplomatic mission, reflecting a shared determination to translate political goodwill into tangible commercial and technical ventures across various key industries.

Beyond trade, both administrations are preparing to broaden the scope of their bilateral cooperation across several strategic policy areas. Government representatives confirmed that future joint initiatives will encompass foreign policy coordination, environmental policy, energy security, and expanded collaboration in defense and military equipment procurement.

The two countries also plan to intensify mutual security cooperation by addressing non-traditional security threats. This includes establishing shared frameworks to combat organized crime networks and counter rising cybercrime. In the technology realm, both nations are drafting a formal memorandum of understanding designed to accelerate cooperation in digital innovation, specifically targeting the development and scaling of modern data centres.

The transition toward sustainable energy sources represents another core pillar of the evolving partnership. President Steinmeier commended the UAE for its structural economic transformation, specifically highlighting the nation’s proactive transition from traditional fossil fuel dependence toward renewable energy platforms and advanced sustainable technologies.

In particular, the German president identified hydrogen energy as an especially promising frontier for mutual engagement. As Germany seeks long-term, decarbonized energy solutions to fuel its heavy industries, the UAE’s extensive investments and production capacity in green hydrogen make the Gulf state an exceptionally strategic partner for Berlin’s future energy requirements.

From the Emirati perspective, government officials highlighted the complementary nature of both national economies. Officials noted that Germany brings world-class industrial capabilities, specialized engineering and scientific expertise, and globally competitive enterprises that can accelerate technological modernizations.

In return, the United Arab Emirates offers substantial financial liquidity, extensive sovereign investment capacity, broad international connectivity, and direct gateway access to rapidly expanding markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. This economic synergy is envisioned as a catalyst for long-term joint ventures.

Commercial relations between the two countries are already firmly established, with the UAE serving as Germany’s most significant trading partner across the Gulf region. In the previous year, total bilateral trade between the two nations surpassed €13 billion (approximately $15 billion), demonstrating a high volume of commercial exchange.

Trade flows between the two economies remain heavily weighted toward German manufacturing. German exports accounted for approximately €11 billion of the total trade volume, while imports from the UAE stood at roughly €2 billion. German corporate investments in the UAE are predominantly concentrated in high-value technology and capital goods sectors, most notably advanced machinery, specialized engineering products, and chemicals.