Official visit of the Federal Chancellor of Germany to Abu Dhabi
Strengthening the UAE–Germany Strategic Partnership
February 17th, 2026
On 6 February 2026, Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, undertook an official visit to Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the depth and momentum of the strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Germany. The visit underscored Germany’s sustained commitment to political dialogue, economic cooperation, and long-term collaboration with the UAE across key sectors of mutual interest.
During the visit, Chancellor Merz held substantive political discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. These talks reflected a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and global developments through close coordination. Germany’s role as a reliable European partner was emphasized, particularly in promoting stability, dialogue, and rules-based international cooperation.
A central element of the Chancellor’s program was his engagement with leading UAE industrial and innovation actors. Accompanied by a high-level German business delegation, Chancellor Merz was received at ADNOC headquarters by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. The visit included a tour of ADNOC’s artificial intelligence and digital innovation facilities, highlighting Germany’s interest in deepening cooperation in advanced technologies, energy transformation, and sustainable industrial development.
The visit also showcased the strong presence and contribution of German industry in the UAE. Chancellor Merz concluded his program with a visit to Bauer International in KEZAD, illustrating the long-standing cooperation between German companies and Emirati partners in engineering, infrastructure, and geotechnical construction. This engagement reinforced Germany’s role as a key contributor to the UAE’s development ambitions and sustainable growth agenda.
Building on the momentum of the Chancellor’s visit, Germany further demonstrated its strategic engagement through defence and security dialogue. From 9 to 11 February, State Secretary Jens Plötner led a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Defence to Abu Dhabi for high-level talks with the UAE Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These discussions focused on current and future defence cooperation, regional and international security developments, and concrete steps to further deepen the bilateral partnership, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking relationship with the United Arab Emirates.
References:
- https://www.facebook.com/GermanEmbassyAbuDhabi/posts/pfbid0DSwViAntxx9UTzoocezRjUy64iK1WaGGSdhWjGUmRP6emVbQP9wC8Q9DJ1RpTTUMl
- https://www.facebook.com/GermanEmbassyAbuDhabi/posts/pfbid036EE76hLejLSb4HF7tdqhFZ8HyQX5wSK97vfqLLa1Kaycjnm9wRNWAZYwenW4bN4Xl
