UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set out their common positions on developments in Iran, Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria and Ukraine during a meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. The meeting took place as part of Al Nahyan’s state visit to Germany.
In a joint statement, the two leaders condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s attacks against the UAE and other countries in the region. They said attacks against civilian infrastructure violated sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law, and expressed solidarity with the UAE over the attacks it has faced.
Al Nahyan expressed his satisfaction with Germany’s support for and solidarity with the UAE, while Merz reiterated his solidarity with the UAE and other partners in the region. The leaders also condemned threats and attacks against commercial vessels, as well as what they described as Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran was called on to refrain from actions and threats aimed at obstructing the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz or targeting commercial vessels. The joint statement said Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, while Tehran’s missile program, unmanned aerial vehicle systems and support for non-state actors were also listed among the threats.
Joint calls on Palestine and Sudan
Al Nahyan and Merz reiterated their commitment to a negotiated, comprehensive, just and lasting peace on the issue of Palestine. The two leaders supported a two-state solution envisaging the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state alongside Israel on the basis of the borders of June 4, 1967.
Supporting the implementation of a plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, the leaders called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of the territory and the reunification of the occupied Palestinian territories under a restructured Palestinian administration.
Israel was called on to comply with its commitments under the Sharm el-Sheikh Protocol, while Hamas was urged to halt all military activities. The leaders rejected steps aimed at unilaterally changing the status of the occupied Palestinian territories and the historical and legal status of Jerusalem. They also opposed the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians.
Attacks against civilians and humanitarian aid workers in Sudan were condemned. The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces were called on to immediately halt military operations that endanger civilians, while an urgent humanitarian ceasefire was requested to pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and a transition to an independent, civilian-led government.
Strategic dialogue and €40 billion investment
The meeting also addressed cooperation in the fields of the economy, energy, renewable energy, innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, culture and education. Al Nahyan said relations between the UAE and Germany constituted a long-term strategic partnership based on more than 50 years of cooperation, trust and shared interests.
The two countries agreed to launch a new strategic dialogue. The planned mechanism is expected to cover regional and international security, defense, trade and investment, energy and climate, emerging technologies, digitalization, transport, the environment, culture and education.
The UAE announced plans to invest a total of €40 billion in Germany. The investment is expected to be directed toward the industry, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and energy sectors, with €10 billion allocated to the German state of Bavaria.
The UAE said the plan aims to strengthen the long-term economic partnership between the two countries, support innovation and the technologies of the future, and create new opportunities for companies in both countries.
The signing of 29 memorandums of understanding and agreements between companies from the two countries, worth more than €9.35 billion, was also welcomed. The leaders expressed their intention to deepen defense and security cooperation and discussed letters of intent to explore defense cooperation as well as police and security cooperation.
Lebanon, Syria and Ukraine on the agenda
The two leaders expressed solidarity with Lebanon and support for the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. They backed the Lebanese government’s efforts to bring weapons under state authority and welcomed the trilateral framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
The importance of preserving Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized. All parties were called on to comply with international law and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
Support was reiterated for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law and the United Nations Charter. An immediate ceasefire in the Black Sea was called for to protect global food security and facilitate grain exports.
Al Nahyan said Germany would play an important role at the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE will host this year, and praised Berlin’s contribution to global water sustainability. The two sides expressed their intention to continue advancing bilateral relations by building on the cooperation achieved in recent years.
