The first state visit to Germany in the history of his country, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is known in diplomatic circles as “MBZ”, a title that is remembered with admiration as if it were private information for those in the know that could bring billions of dollars, according to what the website of the second German channel “ZDF” wrote.
Mohammed bin Zayed has been leading the country, which is only 55 years old, since 2022 as an absolute ruler, and is seen in the Federal Chancellery and the German Foreign Ministry as the mastermind of the Middle East. For this reason, many months of work were spent preparing for this official visit.
Germany and the United Arab Emirates intend to expand their bilateral relations. The Gulf state plans investments worth 40 billion euros. It will also allow the airline "Emirates" to operate flights to an additional German city.
The first state visit of the Emirati president to Germany began in an official ceremonial manner. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received his guest with a military ceremony at Villa Porzig in Berlin. In the evening, the Federal President hosted an official banquet in honor of his guest, which included many talks and agreements.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz began this rapprochement campaign during his meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. Meretz considered at the time that his visit in February was “perhaps one of the most important” of his trips since assuming the position of chancellor. He described Mohammed bin Zayed as one of the “influential figures” in the Gulf region, and said that he had held equally “influential and intense conversations” with him.
The UAE is planning billions of euros in investments in Germany
The website of the second German channel "ZDF" wrote that, in any case, Germany's interests in the Emirates are very great. The volume of bilateral trade exchange has risen to 13 billion euros, with a huge German export surplus, which means that the UAE is purchasing heavily from Germany. Germany is also seeking affordable energy, hydrogen, and liquefied natural gas.
Berlin's strategic interest is in particular the huge sovereign fund of the very wealthy Emirates. The UAE is looking for profitable investment opportunities for the future, and seeks to invest its huge wealth in preparation for the post-oil and gas era. During this first official visit, which will be followed by a stop in Munich after Berlin, attention is focused on investments worth billions of euros. The UAE intends to invest about 40 billion euros, in addition to the 34 billion euros it has previously invested.
More than 40 separate agreements are scheduled to be signed, including the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers and advanced technology, and the establishment of a German-Emirati investment council that actually aims to intertwine the partnership between the two countries at the technological level.
Economy Minister Katharina Reiche brought together representatives from the two countries from the defense and armament technology sectors, according to the Tagesschau website. After that, she pointed out the great potential for cooperation between the two sides. Reiche explained that German industry occupies a technological leadership position, especially in the fields of air defense, aviation security, and marine mine clearance. She added that Germany therefore has the necessary capabilities to make a "substantial contribution to the security of the United Arab Emirates."
Geopolitical interests: Israel, Iran and the war
In addition, the German government has geopolitical and security interests. It sees the UAE as a pivotal country for redrawing the balances of the Middle East. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who has a good relationship with Friedrich Merz, also received great praise from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, because the UAE appears, in his view, to be a pragmatic country in its foreign policy, and even “relatively pro-Israel in the context of the region,” according to German Channel 2.
Within the framework of the "Abraham Accords" six years ago, the UAE was among the countries in the region that recognized Israel's right to exist and officially normalized its diplomatic relations with it.
This close relationship is currently receiving great attention within Israel as the election campaign heats up, after the liberal newspaper Haaretz wrote that Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in advance of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the massacre that occurred on October 7. However, Netanyahu confirms that this story is incorrect.
Regardless, the Emirati leadership stands firmly with Israel in its conflict with Iran. In recognition of this position, Israel has provided Abu Dhabi with highly modern missile defense systems to protect against Iranian attacks.
The UAE's exit from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in May also aroused admiration in the West. This move is seen as an expression of the UAE's desire to establish a new regional order and achieve greater strategic independence.
Political realism versus morality
Mertz and Steinmeier praise the UAE as a "pillar of stability." This is an example of political realism. The opposite is called moral policy, which is what human rights organizations and a number of German opposition parties are calling for during this official visit.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed is accused of providing logistical and financial support to the Rapid Support Forces militia in the devastating civil war in Sudan, with the aim of securing access to valuable natural resources such as gold. However, for the German government, this does not constitute an obstacle to supporting potential deals for the benefit of the German defense and armament industries.
A banner was raised at Berlin Central Station near the government district, the surrounding area of which was closed with strict security measures. The sign read in red letters: “Meretz, no deals with warmongers in Sudan.” The move was part of an event organized by the Threatened Peoples Association. According to the United Nations, the United Arab Emirates supports the Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan through weapons and mercenaries. In the African country, this militia and the regular army have been fighting for power for three years, which has led to the displacement of millions of people.
Meretz had said after his first meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed that he was also talking to him about human rights, but behind closed doors. It is unlikely that this topic will be on the table at the official state banquet. Journalists will also not be able to ask questions to the visiting sheikh, because he does not hold press conferences either in his country or during this visit.
