Berlin and Baku announced steps toward deeper energy ties. Officials say expanded Azerbaijani gas supplies could bolster Germany’s southern regions and energy security.
Germany is interested in increasing natural gas imports from Azerbaijan and sees this country as an important partner for further diversification of energy supplies.
In Berlin, during a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Friedrich Merz expressed the intention to expand cooperation in the energy sector and to strengthen gas imports from Azerbaijan.
“We want to try in the coming years to strengthen cooperation precisely in the area of energy supply. From a German perspective, we are very interested in diversifying gas imports”
– Friedrich Merz
Prospects and Next Steps
According to the chancellor, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries in the region that produces more energy than it consumes, underscoring its role in Germany’s energy security. It was also noted that additional gas volumes could primarily reach the southern regions of the country through existing or expanding infrastructure.
This opens up new prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany, the chancellor emphasized.
After the suspension of Russian gas supplies, Germany is seeking new sources of import, and Azerbaijan could play an important role, as discussed during the talks.
During the meeting, the parties also considered possibilities for increasing supplies of Azerbaijani gas, cooperation in the oil sector, renewable energy, and hydropower. As a result of the talks, Merz and Aliyev signed a declaration on a strategic agenda for the Germany-Azerbaijan partnership and agreed to establish a German-Azerbaijani Economic Council.
These steps underscore the mutual interest of both sides in expanding energy security and economic partnership between the countries.