Berlin, July 22, 2026 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan and Germany on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation, expanding energy ties, and supporting peace and stability in the South Caucasus as President Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held high-level talks in Berlin.
Following their meeting, the two leaders made press statements and answered questions from journalists, highlighting the growing partnership between the two countries after signing the Joint Declaration on a Strategic Agenda for the Bilateral Partnership and an agreement establishing the Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council.
Chancellor Merz welcomed President Aliyev to Berlin, describing the visit as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations amid evolving regional and global challenges. He said Germany and the European Union remain committed to supporting lasting peace in the South Caucasus and congratulated Azerbaijan and Armenia on initialing a peace treaty.
Calling the agreement “historic,” Merz said it presents a unique opportunity to overcome decades of conflict and pledged Germany’s readiness to support efforts aimed at achieving sustainable peace and regional stability.
The German chancellor also emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan as a reliable energy partner, noting that cooperation in crude oil supplies and natural gas deliveries through the Southern Gas Corridor has become increasingly significant for Europe’s energy security. He said Germany seeks to further diversify its energy supplies while expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in renewable energy and hydrogen development.
Merz highlighted the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council as a strong signal to businesses in both countries, expressing confidence that the new framework would promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
President Aliyev said the agreements signed during the visit would elevate bilateral relations to a new level and launch a structured strategic dialogue between Azerbaijan and Germany.
He noted that more than 200 German companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan and expressed confidence that today’s agreements would encourage greater German investment and commercial engagement in the country.
Highlighting Azerbaijan’s growing role in European energy security, Aliyev said the country began exporting natural gas to Germany earlier this year and now supplies gas to ten European Union member states. He added that Azerbaijan also exports crude oil to Germany and plans to become a significant supplier of green energy to Europe.
The Azerbaijani president also underscored the country’s strategic importance as a transport and connectivity hub linking Europe and Central Asia through the Middle Corridor, saying both governments had agreed to establish working groups to ensure the swift implementation of the newly signed agreements.
On regional peace, Aliyev welcomed the progress in normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stating that the initialing of a peace treaty and subsequent agreements had effectively brought an end to a conflict that had lasted more than three decades. He also acknowledged Germany’s contribution to supporting the peace process.
Responding to questions on Europe’s energy needs, Aliyev said Azerbaijan has the capacity to significantly increase natural gas exports, provided that pipeline infrastructure is expanded and additional investment is secured. He called for European financial institutions to reconsider restrictions on financing oil and gas infrastructure projects in light of changing geopolitical and energy security realities.
Addressing questions on the war in Ukraine, Chancellor Merz reiterated that Germany continues to support Ukraine and maintained that any meaningful peace process depends on Russia’s willingness to engage in negotiations.
President Aliyev said Azerbaijan supports all initiatives aimed at ending the conflict and achieving peace, while emphasizing that Baku welcomes any diplomatic efforts that could contribute to ending the war.
The talks reflected the shared commitment of Azerbaijan and Germany to expanding cooperation in energy, trade, investment, transport, and regional security, while reinforcing their strategic partnership amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
