While Germany is expanding its economic and military cooperation with the Emirates, a homeless camp in the government district was cleared for the state visit. There is also criticism of the UAE's role in Sudan.

On Thursday morning, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, with military honors in Berlin. In the afternoon, Chancellor Friedrich Merz invited the head of state to the Chancellery. A state banquet followed in the evening and on Friday the sheikh traveled to Munich to meet Markus Söder.

The authorities also had a homeless camp under the bridge at the bend in the Spree in the government district cleared out for the visit - officially for security reasons. The military reception normally takes place at Bellevue Palace, which is currently undergoing a billion-euro renovation. Federal President Steinmeier currently lives near the Chancellery. The homeless camp there was a thorn in the side. Particularly absurd: On Friday there will be an awards ceremony in Berlin on the occasion of Homeless People's Day - with Steinmeier as oneGuest of honor.

Closer cooperation with the Emirates

The official focus of this extensive visit are:“Expansion of the strategic partnership”, deeper economic relations, joint commitment to “peace and stability” in the Near and Middle East – according to the press release from the Chancellery.

Federal government breaks its word: further arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia

However, it should be much more specific: When visiting the UAE, above all, several people shouldAgreementwith agreements worth an announced volume of 40 billion euros to be signed. A declaration of intent to expand data centers and the establishment of a German-Emirati investment council for business, energy and the environment are planned.

According to both sides, the planned cooperation also concerns the fight against crime as well as foreign security and armaments policy. Things should continue in Berlin tooExchangewith representatives of the German arms industry.

Severe criticism from the left and Humans Rights Watch

However, the sheikh's visit and the announced agreement are happeningsharp criticism, including from the Left party. Party leader Ines Schwerdtner accuses Merz of rolling out the red carpet for the sheikh, even though the Emirates supported the RSF militia in Sudan with weapons and mercenaries. The militia is responsible for massacres and the most serious crimes against civilians in Darfur.

Expulsion, massacres, hunger crises: the war in Sudan continues to rage

Schwerdt's judgment on the planned arms exchange is particularly harsh: it is “cynical” that the federal government apparently wants to use the visit to bring the Emirates together with German weapons manufacturers. Instead, she calls for a stop to German arms deliveries to the Emirates and “unambiguous” clear words from Merz to the sheikh. “Anyone who supports a genocidal militia cannot be a normal strategic partner for Germany,” said Schwerdt. Merz must “clearly state that the sheikh bears joint responsibility for the ethnic cleansing in Darfur.”

The left is not alone in this criticism: eitherHuman Rights Watchhad already called on the federal government to address the Emirates' human rights record. Its Germany director, Philipp Frisch, described it as strange that Berlin was keeping quiet about the role of the Emirates in Sudan, effectively giving it a license for further attacks. OneUN investigative groupaccuses the RSF militia of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which UN investigators have identified as “characteristics of genocide.”

Humanitarian conference without consequences: Berlin manages the war in Sudan

Investment package and security policy

They were made more concretePlansthen from the Emirates themselves: The Gulf state's Industry Minister, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, announced that the additional 40 billion euros should primarily benefit energy supplies and supply chains. He emphasized the strategic and economic partnership with Germany that has existed for decades. The sum is in addition to the UAE's existing investments of 34 billion euros.

According to a joint statement by both governments, the focus of the new package is the expansion of the digital infrastructure, in particular the construction of high-performance data centers with a total capacity of around one gigawatt. In addition, companies from both countries signed 29 additional letters of intent and agreements worth a total of over 9.36 billion euros.

In order to institutionalize the cooperation permanently, Merz and the sheikh also agreed on a strategic dialogue that will cover defense, trade, energy and artificial intelligence. Cooperation on liquefied natural gas, renewable energies and hydrogen should also be deepened. In return, Germany grants the Emirates additional rights in air traffic.

Iran War: Saudi Arabia and the Emirates also attacked

In addition to the economic agreements, security policy also played a large part in the discussions. Germany and the Emirates strongly condemned Iranian attacks on the UAE and other states in the region and on civilian infrastructure and also accused the Islamic Republic of effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides called for an end to the threat to merchant shipping.

With regard to West Asia, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine and pushed for the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was also a topic: Germany thanked the Emirates for their mediating role in the prisoner exchange between Kiev and Moscow, which, according to both sides, had released almost 8,000 prisoners of war since the start of the war. For the coming winter, Berlin and Abu Dhabi also agreed on joint humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian population, which will focus on decentralized infrastructure and food security.

The postBillion dollar agreement with Abu Dhabi despite serious human rights violationsappeared firstperspective.