Germany and UAE Cement Strategic Alliance in Berlin During Historic State Visit by President Sheikh Mohamed

BERLIN — United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Thursday for an official two-day state visit, marking the first time a sitting Emirati head of state has conducted a formal state visit to Germany. The high-level diplomatic summit highlights an intensified push by both governments to fortify strategic, economic, and security ties during a period of mounting international volatility.

The Emirati leader was greeted on Thursday morning with full military honours by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The ceremonial reception set the stage for an extensive series of bilateral consultations aimed at expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation between Europe’s largest economy and the influential Gulf nation.

The visit takes place against a turbulent international backdrop, characterized by escalating security concerns and shifting regional dynamics. In particular, fallout from the war on Iran has created significant tremors across the Middle East, directly affecting the security environment of Gulf countries and underscoring the necessity of dependable international coalitions.

Speaking during a state banquet hosted in honour of Sheikh Mohamed, President Steinmeier addressed the prevailing global instability, observing that international certainties once taken for granted are undergoing profound erosion. Steinmeier emphasized that these shifting dynamics require mature and constructive diplomatic engagements grounded in mutual interest and shared responsibility.

Steinmeier explicitly addressed recent Iranian attacks targeting the UAE, noting that the timing of the state visit could not be more critical. The German president affirmed that contemporary global realities demand rational and dependable allies who possess both the capacity and the will to provide mutual support during crises, describing Germany and the UAE as fulfilling precisely that role for one another.

Following his initial reception, Sheikh Mohamed proceeded to the Federal Chancellery for private consultations with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The meeting represents a continuation of personal diplomacy between the two leaders, who previously held bilateral discussions during Chancellor Merz’s official visit to Abu Dhabi in February.

According to Emirati officials, the two-day summit is poised to generate major commercial and strategic dividends, with bilateral agreements valued in the billions anticipated across several priority sectors. While formal details of the transactions remain under development, officials underscored the transformative potential of the upcoming accords.

Both governments have outlined plans to substantially broaden their framework of cooperation, focusing on defense, arms procurement, and foreign policy alignment alongside comprehensive economic and environmental initiatives. The expanded scope reflects a shared ambition to move beyond traditional transactional commerce into a deeply integrated strategic alliance.

Security cooperation is set to encompass intensified operational measures against cross-border organized crime and sophisticated cybercrime networks. Concurrently, bilateral collaboration in the digital arena is gaining momentum, with both nations preparing a formal memorandum of understanding to advance technological integration, particularly concerning the expansion and safeguarding of data center infrastructure.

The bilateral agenda also places heavy emphasis on the global energy transition. Steinmeier commended the UAE for spearheading a comprehensive domestic economic overhaul, successfully pivoting its core infrastructure from conventional fossil fuel extraction toward sustainable technologies and renewable power systems.

German officials specifically highlighted the UAE's substantial potential in the emerging hydrogen sector as a cornerstone of future energy trade. As Germany seeks reliable partners to satisfy its long-term green energy demands, the Gulf nation’s accelerated investments in hydrogen production present significant opportunities for long-term supply agreements and technological joint ventures.

Emirati officials observed that the strengthening partnership leverages the natural economic complementarities between the two nations. Germany contributes world-renowned industrial manufacturing, high-level scientific and technical research, and a broad base of globally competitive enterprises specializing in advanced capital goods.

In exchange, the UAE offers substantial sovereign capital, sustained long-term investment capabilities, and sophisticated logistical networks. Furthermore, the Gulf state serves as an international commercial gateway, granting German exporters and investors streamlined access to some of the world’s most rapidly expanding emerging markets.

The UAE firmly retains its position as Germany’s primary trading partner within the Gulf region. In the past year, total bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded €13 billion (approximately $15 billion), demonstrating the robust commercial foundation upon which the expanded strategic relationship is being built.

The bilateral balance of trade continues to be heavily anchored by German manufacturing exports. German deliveries to the UAE reached roughly €11 billion over the last year, compared to approximately €2 billion in German imports from the UAE. German direct investments remain heavily concentrated in high-value sectors, including specialized industrial machinery, technology solutions, and advanced chemical products.

The historic summit concluded with both delegations reaffirming their shared commitment to navigating international challenges through institutionalized cooperation. By aligning German industrial expertise with Emirati capital and strategic reach, both Berlin and Abu Dhabi aim to establish a resilient framework capable of weathering global economic and geopolitical disruptions.