"We can step up cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, and this is our aim, in the fields of economic and energy policy, but also in humanitarian projects in Africa," said Chancellor Angela Merkel. At the Federal Chancellery, she received the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, for talks.

The Chancellor pointed out that one million German tourists visit the United Arab Emirates every year. This, she said, is another sign of increasingly close contacts.

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven largely autonomous emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Fujayrah und Ras al-Khaymah.

Building bridges

In a statement to the press, Chancellor Angela Merkel drew attention to the tolerance initiatives in the Emirates. "We discussed the importance of building bridges between different religions and faiths, and also between neighbours, in view of the conflicts in the region," she said. Tolerance and friendship between peoples must be used rigorously to tackle extremism and hatred. This includes the fight against international terrorism.

Joint statement adopted

In a joint statement, the United Arab Emirates and Germany underlined the cordial ties and stable partnership between the two nations, which is also reflected by the Crown Prince’s visit to Berlin.

Fifteen years ago the United Arab Emirates and Germany entered into a strategic partnership, which has forged close political, social and economic relations, says the joint statement. In January 2009, it was agreed that the two ministries of foreign affairs would hold regular political consultations. The Chancellor herself visited the Emirates in May 2017.