UAE Ambassador to Germany Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq told WAM that President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s state visit represents a significant milestone in UAE-German relations. The ambassador highlighted how the trip builds on more than five decades of diplomatic engagement that has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions during the two-day visit will focus on strengthening cooperation in economic and development sectors while addressing regional and international issues of mutual interest. The ambassador noted that the visit opens new avenues for collaboration that align with both nations’ development priorities.
Sheikh Mohamed is scheduled to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on September 10, 2026 according to the official programme released by WAM. The leaders will review the strong and enduring ties between the two countries within the framework of their established strategic partnership. Previous high-level contacts this year including Chancellor Merz’s February trip to Abu Dhabi have laid groundwork for expanded joint initiatives. WAM reported that the talks will also explore opportunities to support shared interests in stability across the Middle East.
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany date back to 1972 when the two countries first established formal ties a fact noted in multiple official reviews of their bilateral history. The partnership was later upgraded to strategic status to reflect growing alignment on political and economic matters. German government circles described the UAE as Germany’s most important trade partner in the Gulf region ahead of the visit according to Reuters reporting from Berlin. This long-term engagement has produced consistent progress across multiple sectors.
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs figures show that bilateral non-oil trade rose 14 percent to $15.51 billion in 2025 with German imports from the UAE increasing more than 50 percent during the year. Approximately 2,000 German companies maintain offices in the UAE using the country as a regional hub for operations across the Middle East Africa and Asia. The Observatory of Economic Complexity data places German exports to the UAE at $10.3 billion annually with major categories including vehicles machinery and aircraft. These trade flows underscore the depth of economic interdependence between the two economies.
Energy cooperation has formed a central pillar of the relationship with Masdar holding a 49 percent stake in Germany’s 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm that became operational in 2025. ADNOC has delivered LNG cargoes to Germany under long-term agreements that total 1.6 million metric tons annually according to statements from the energy companies involved. In February 2026 ADNOC and RWE signed agreements to explore further LNG supply and battery storage investments in Germany. The partnerships extend to hydrogen production and climate action initiatives that both sides have prioritised.
German direct investment stock in the UAE reached €4.06 billion in 2024 up from the previous year while UAE investment in Germany grew to €2.08 billion over the same period according to Germany Trade and Invest data based on Bundesbank figures. The December 2025 acquisition of German chemicals firm Covestro by ADNOC’s XRG for €14.7 billion including a €1.17 billion capital increase marked a major step in industrial cooperation. UAE officials have pointed to these investments as evidence of maturing financial ties that move beyond traditional trade. The UAE-German Business Council established in 2025 has created additional channels for private sector engagement across technology and infrastructure.
The visit follows a series of exchanges this year including Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed’s meetings with German officials in May 2026 that reviewed economic and trade cooperation. WAM noted that such engagements reflect the UAE’s commitment to broadening partnerships with key European nations. German Chancellor Merz had previously hosted UAE officials and expressed support for intensified collaboration in security and economic domains. These interactions have prepared the ground for concrete outcomes during Sheikh Mohamed’s stay in Berlin.
