Lead:
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, concluded a three-day state visit to Germany on September 11, 2026, following an invitation from German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit, which ran from September 9-11, saw the two nations sign a comprehensive work programme for economic cooperation and affirm joint commitment to protecting the international order amid regional complexities. The visit garnered significant international media attention and represented a milestone in UAE-German relations.
Details:
During the visit, the UAE and Germany signed an integrated economic cooperation programme, with Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Katarina Reisch, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany, jointly chairing the signing ceremony. Germany formally announced its support for accelerating negotiations on a free trade and comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the UAE and the European Union, signalling deepened commercial integration at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed held several high-level meetings during his time in Munich. He met with Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria, to explore enhanced cooperation frameworks. He also held discussions with Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, reflecting continuity in bilateral engagement across political transitions. The UAE President addressed students from the Emirates studying at German universities and educational institutions, pledging continued government support for their academic and professional development. He met with senior executives and business leaders from major German corporations, emphasizing the UAE's commitment to attracting and supporting foreign investment through robust infrastructure and transparent regulatory frameworks.
In a joint statement, the UAE and Germany framed the visit as occurring "at a pivotal moment for both nations," underscoring their shared dedication to international security and multilateral cooperation. The bilateral business forum held concurrently in Munich highlighted the substantial German commercial presence in the UAE, with approximately 10,000 German companies benefiting from the Emirates' economic strength. Official statements noted that relations between the two countries have solidified significantly over recent years into a strategic partnership underpinned by political stability and economic opportunity.
Watch For:
The pace and outcome of ongoing EU-UAE free trade agreement negotiations, which Germany has now publicly committed to accelerating. The implementation timeline for the newly signed comprehensive economic cooperation work programme and its sectoral priorities. Whether this diplomatic momentum translates into new investment flows and commercial ventures between German firms and UAE entities across technology, renewable energy, and industrial sectors.