President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz have delivered statements to the press and answered journalists' questions in Berlin.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the German Federal Chancellor delivered the initial statement.
Statement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. I am very pleased to welcome President Ilham Aliyev to Berlin today. We are fulfilling the visit that was planned for March, which had to be postponed due to the war with Iran.
However, this visit also demonstrates that our countries cannot ignore the major crises and wars of today. This applies to both the Middle East and Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. These wars have had a significant impact on Germany and Azerbaijan in terms of their security and economic interests, even if the details of the two conflicts differ. In any case, we encourage solutions through negotiations. We share the conviction that, ultimately, only a negotiated settlement can bring long-term peace, security, and stability.
Mr. President, peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus are also essential for us. Germany and the European Union are very interested in achieving lasting peace in this geopolitically important region. For this reason, Mr. President, we are particularly pleased to welcome you to Germany. We congratulate you on the initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This is a historic agreement. It creates an opportunity to overcome a conflict that has lasted for decades. We will be happy to do whatever we can from a German and European perspective.
Greater stability in the region creates new opportunities for broad economic cooperation between our countries. I am very pleased that relations between our countries are developing on an upward trajectory. In the spring of 2025, President Steinmeier became the first German head of state to visit Azerbaijan. This year, there have also been intensive exchanges between our parliaments. By signing the Joint Declaration today, we have laid the foundation for further expanding our bilateral relations. As you witnessed during the ceremony, an agreement was reached on the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council.
This is an important signal to companies in both countries. We are serious about expanding relations between Germany and Azerbaijan. In the current crisis, cooperation in the supply of crude oil and natural gas via the Southern Gas Corridor is of particular importance. Mr. President, we discussed these in detail. We want to further diversify our energy supply through cooperation with Azerbaijan. Today, we also discussed the expansion of the use of renewable energy and hydrogen.
We are also having constructive discussions regarding Azerbaijan's investment program proposal. This program could open up new opportunities for German companies operating in Azerbaijan. The importance of the South Caucasus as a bridge between Europe and Asia is also growing. New transport and trade corridors create economic potential that we want to use together. Mr. President, as you know, it is often not easy for small and medium-sized enterprises to invest over long distances. Appropriate framework conditions on the ground are always very important.
We discussed these issues today. With the two declarations signed today, we have taken a big step forward. Mr. President, thank you once again for visiting Berlin. I look forward to continued productive cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany."
Statement by President Ilham Aliyev
"Thank you, Mr. Chancellor. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for the hospitality shown to me and for inviting me for an official visit. I am very pleased to be in your country again. I am sure that the documents signed today will raise our relations to a new level. We were already wishing for the start of a strategic dialogue, and we have achieved this. At the same time, I am sure that the Joint Declaration signed today for the expansion of economic ties will work very actively and produce good results.
Our bilateral agenda is quite broad. We exchanged views on this both during our one-on-one meeting and during the meeting in an expanded format. As a leading country of the European Union, Germany is increasing its influence in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan-Germany relations will contribute not only to bilateral relations but also to cooperation, peace, and tranquility in our region as a whole.
Many German companies are successfully operating in Azerbaijan. The number of active companies is more than 200. I am sure that after today's visit, their number will increase even further. Issues of mutual investment are being discussed. Concrete proposals have been put forward for the wider operation of German companies in Azerbaijan.
You touched upon cooperation in the energy sector. There are positive results in this direction as well. Starting this year, Azerbaijan has begun exporting its natural gas to Germany. Thus, our gas is delivered to 10 European Union member states today, and, undoubtedly, this is a very great contribution to energy security. Considering that Azerbaijan also exports its oil to Germany and is determined to deliver its green energy to the European space in the future, cooperation in the energy sector will be very large-scale.
Azerbaijan-Germany cooperation is also of great importance regarding connectivity and transit opportunities, as German companies have achieved great success in this direction. Azerbaijan is improving its transport infrastructure. By becoming a full member of the Central Asian consultative format last year, Azerbaijan acts as a kind of bridge between Central Asia and Europe, and this role will continue to grow. A concrete action plan is envisaged in many directions. During the exchange of views on the implementation of the Declaration signed today, concrete proposals were put forward. Several working groups will be created so that the documents signed today are soon reflected in reality.
At the same time, I would like to thank you for Germany's contribution to the peace process in the South Caucasus. After many years, the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and the initialing of the peace agreement, and the signing of the Joint Declaration in Washington, at the White House, with the participation and signature of President Trump, effectively put an end to the conflict that lasted for 30 years. Immediately after this agreement, Azerbaijan moved to practical steps. Today, gasoline and diesel fuel supplied by Azerbaijan are a very great contribution to Armenia's energy security. Especially considering that there are many problems with the export and import of oil products today due to certain reasons, and at the same time, the transit of goods from Azerbaijan to Armenia has already gained momentum. To date, more than 40,000 tons of transit cargo have passed through the territory of Azerbaijan.
In other words, we are living in a very historic period. Azerbaijan, whose lands were under occupation for many years, ended the occupation with its own strength, restored its territorial integrity, and restored its sovereignty. It implemented the four UN Security Council resolutions itself, offered peace to Armenia, and received a positive response. Therefore, I say again, we highly appreciate the role of the German government in this area. Meetings have also been held in the negotiation process, including at the level of foreign ministers in Germany.
Finally, I would like to touch upon European Union-Azerbaijan relations. This year, we have witnessed the visits of both the President of the European Council, Mr. Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ms. von der Leyen, to Azerbaijan. These visits have a very great political meaning. This will further strengthen the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan. Since Germany is a leader among the European Union member states, naturally, Germany's role here is very great, and at the same time, I am sure that Germany will make its efforts for future cooperation.
Once again, Mr. Chancellor, I would like to thank you for the invitation and hospitality, and I invite you to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan at a time convenient for you."
The leaders' meeting in Berlin marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, focusing on strategic dialogue, energy security, and regional stability. This visit underscores the growing importance of the Azerbaijan-Germany partnership, particularly in the context of the Southern Gas Corridor and the ongoing normalization process between Baku and Yerevan.
