Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for his first state go to to Germany, with power safety and the Central Hall commerce route on the prime of his agenda as Europe continues to cut back its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Aliyev held bilateral talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz forward of a wide-ranging assembly with ministers.
The 2 nations signed a joint declaration on strategic partnership and a collection of agreements overlaying power, transport, infrastructure, commerce and funding, science and expertise, making Germany the second European nation after Italy to signal an identical settlement with Azerbaijan. A joint enterprise discussion board was additionally held in parallel with the talks.
“I wish to categorical my gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev,” Merz mentioned. “You might be creating alternatives for us to obtain extra fuel from Azerbaijan. This concern can be mirrored within the joint declaration that we signed at this time.”
“Azerbaijan can provide the required quantity of oil,” Aliyev mentioned. “This may be finished each by means of home sources and SOCAR’s commerce division.”
Germany has turn out to be considered one of Baku’s latest fuel clients since Azerbaijani fuel started flowing into Germany through the Southern Fuel Hall in 2024. Aliyev predicted that annual shipments will attain 2 billion cubic meters by subsequent yr.
Merz described the Southern Fuel Hall as a dependable provide route and mentioned Germany intends to construct long-term relations with Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan at the moment provides Europe with round 12 billion cubic meters of fuel per yr, with Italy, Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary the biggest suppliers.
“As Russia’s power infrastructure continues to undergo harm from the struggle in Ukraine, Azerbaijan is able to enhance power provides to Germany and different European Union nations,” Aliyev mentioned.
Berlin’s determination to diversify away from Russian power within the wake of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 has elevated the strategic worth of the Southern Fuel Hall to EU member states.
Intermediate corridors connecting China and Europe through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye additionally performed a distinguished function. Aliyev mentioned that Azerbaijan has invested closely in increasing the port capability of Caspian Arat, and the amount of cargo passing by means of the hall has elevated considerably.
As considered one of Europe’s main industrial economies and a serious importer of Asian items, Germany has a direct curiosity in lowering its dependence on the trans-Russian route.
Aliyev additionally talked about the continued struggle between Iran and the US, which is disrupting regional power and commerce flows and growing the significance of land and Caspian sea routes as options to the Strait of Hormuz.
He mentioned Azerbaijan has maintained a balanced place all through the struggle and is able to help any diplomatic efforts aimed toward restoring stability.
In response, Prime Minister Merz praised the peace course of between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressed help for a sturdy settlement, and referred to as on each side to finalize a peace settlement.
Europe’s dependable accomplice
Orkhan Yortuyev, director and co-founder of CASPIA, an analytical suppose tank in Baku, mentioned the importance of the go to lies within the broader scope of the brand new strategic agenda.
“For the primary time at such a excessive degree, bilateral cooperation will embody inexperienced power, low-carbon hydrogen, digital transformation, industrial modernization, transport connectivity and innovation,” Yoltuev mentioned.
“Germany more and more sees Azerbaijan not solely as an power provider, but in addition as a accomplice in new industrial and logistics initiatives linking Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.”
Yoltuev mentioned the newly established enterprise council might assist flip political agreements into sensible cooperation, and the inclusion of academic, scientific and cultural exchanges would supply a broader foundation for partnership.
Shahin Ismailov, member of the Azerbaijani parliament and head of the Youth and Sports activities Committee, mentioned the settlement reached in Berlin might strengthen cooperation in power, commerce, transport and funding.
“President Ilham Aliyev’s go to to Germany is a vital step to additional strengthen the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Germany,” he informed Euronews.
“Azerbaijan stays a dependable accomplice for Europe, particularly in guaranteeing secure power provides and selling the Central Hall Initiative.”
Aliyev held a one-on-one assembly with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a while Tuesday to additional focus on bilateral cooperation between the 2 nations.
Steinmeier, who beforehand served as Germany’s international minister, described Azerbaijan and Germany as “islands of stability” amid ongoing international conflicts and widespread challenges.
