German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on September 10 as the UAE leader opened a three-day state visit to Germany. The ceremony featured military honors including a guard of honour and followed the UAE president’s arrival in the German capital a day earlier when his aircraft received an escort of German military planes upon entering the country’s airspace. According to the Emirates News Agency the event at the historic villa set the stage for private talks between the two presidents and a broader meeting with their respective delegations focusing on ways to deepen cooperation.
The high-level UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed includes Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs along with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and several ministers responsible for industry advanced technology foreign trade and other portfolios. A report from Gulf News detailed that the group also features Saqr Ghobash as speaker of the Federal National Council and Ahmed Al Attar serving as UAE ambassador to Germany. The composition of the delegation according to the Emirates News Agency underscores the breadth of issues expected to feature in discussions ranging from trade to regional security.
German media outlets reported that following the Villa Borsig reception Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was scheduled to sign Berlin’s golden book at the Red Town Hall before attending a state banquet hosted by Steinmeier. Morgenpost coverage of the visit indicated that the UAE president would also hold talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz centered on expanding economic ties and joint efforts to promote stability in the Middle East. These engagements build on a relationship that began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972 and has since evolved into a strategic partnership.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Germany exceeded €13.56 billion in 2025 while German imports from the UAE rose by more than 50 percent during that period a Gulf News assessment found. The figures highlight the economic momentum that both sides seek to accelerate through the current visit with particular attention to sectors such as energy advanced technology and investment. UAE officials have positioned the trip as an opportunity to broaden collaboration beyond traditional areas into emerging fields that support sustainable development goals shared by the two countries.
The state visit represents the first by a UAE president to Germany and arrives at a time when both nations are navigating complex regional dynamics. Steinmeier and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed are expected to address international developments of mutual interest including peace initiatives in the Middle East according to statements from the German side reported by Gulf News. Preparations for the trip involved close coordination on security and logistics with Berlin implementing temporary traffic restrictions in the City West area to accommodate the schedule.
Further meetings during the visit will include discussions with representatives from Germany’s defence and industrial sectors as the UAE continues to diversify its economic partnerships. The itinerary concludes on September 12 with additional engagements before the UAE president’s departure. Coverage from Economy Middle East noted that the trip is anticipated to yield progress on investment frameworks and technology exchanges that reinforce the long-standing friendship between the UAE and Germany.
