Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Mr. President,

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. President, first of all, I would like to once again sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. I am pleased that there is a regular political dialogue between us. Last April, we met during my visit to Berlin, and I am delighted that you have accepted my invitation to come to Azerbaijan on an official visit.

Both during our one-on-one conversation and during the talks with delegations, the further development of German-Azerbaijani relations was discussed. I am absolutely convinced that this visit will give a positive impetus to our relations. The results achieved in the economic sphere are certainly reassuring for us. In January and February of this year, our trade turnover increased nearly threefold. The primary reason for this has been the increase in the volume of crude oil exported from Azerbaijan to Germany. Therefore, we believe that we should take more active steps in the coming years to diversify our trade, especially in the field of renewable energy, where German companies have extensive experience and Azerbaijan has a very large program and ambitious plans. We intend to increase the production of renewable energy to 6 gigawatts by 2030 through foreign investments, and this goal is quite realistic. Part of this volume will be exported to Europe.

As you may be aware, Azerbaijan hosted the COP29 international climate conference last year. We also had active cooperation with Germany in this direction. More than 77,000 participants representing 197 countries were registered at COP29. The conference was rich in successful results. The only country that did not participate was Armenia. This, of course, is regrettable, especially under the current circumstances. At a time when a process of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia is successfully underway, it was incomprehensible for the Armenian side to boycott this international conference. Today, this issue was also discussed, and Azerbaijan's position was communicated to the German side.

Azerbaijan’s lands were subjected to Armenian occupation for 30 years. Our people were subjected to ethnic cleansing. One million Azerbaijanis were left homeless due to Armenian aggression, and approximately twenty percent of our land was occupied. Unfortunately, international organizations did not take any tangible steps on this issue. Azerbaijan resolved this conflict itself and restored international law on the battlefield and at the political level. It was this historic victory that paved the way for peace negotiations. I believe that today, the positions of Azerbaijan and Armenia have come quite close to each other in achieving peace.

At the same time, other international issues were also discussed today, including the US-EU tensions, the tensions between Russia and the West. All these issues are naturally affecting the whole world, and it was quite important for me to have such a sincere exchange of views.

I want to say again that I am confident that this visit will have positive results. This is the first official visit of the President of Germany to Azerbaijan in the history of our bilateral relations. I am confident that the outcomes of the visit will bring our countries even closer together.

Welcome once again!

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Statement by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

- My dear colleague, Mr. President, on behalf of the entire German delegation, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this kind invitation and for the hospitality extended to us. We are very pleased. You noted that this is not my first time in Azerbaijan, but this is my first time in this capacity. This is my first visit as President. I have been to Azerbaijan many times before, but the last time I was here in 2016, so nine years have passed. The situation in the world is changing very rapidly now. From a geopolitical point of view, so many changes have occurred in the last nine years that my visit to Azerbaijan in 2016 seems like a long time ago. I am glad that we are meeting again today and have had a very broad exchange of views. In fact, we have always had such exchanges. Perhaps not in Baku, but we have met in other places and talked on the phone. We met at the Munich Security Conference, and I also remember your visit to Berlin perfectly well. We had a discussion at last year’s meeting, and I am glad to be visiting your country today in response to your visit.

Mr. President, we have talked about the history of relations between our countries. First of all, we can recall the settlement of Swabian peasants here in Azerbaijan and the creation of winemaking traditions. They were involved in the development of agriculture. Of course, they also made a significant contribution to industrialization. German organizations, large companies participated in the development of industry, in copper mining, in the construction of an electricity grid. Many Germans have lived in Azerbaijan. I recall this because it is important to know the long history of our relations, the long history of the relations between Germany and Azerbaijan. I am very pleased that there is great interest in the German language and education in Germany in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani youth are very interested in studying in Germany, and I believe that we should expand our relations precisely in the field of scientific cooperation.

I am very pleased with the exchange we have had. I am glad that we have always been able to speak openly with each other. We have been able to speak openly both on issues where we have common views and those where our positions differ. Both sides have spoken openly and held talks with each other during our extensive conversations. We are currently living in a world where very rapid and dramatic changes are taking place. Mr. President, you have already mentioned the criteria that bring our countries closer together. We also have a common interest in protecting international law and developing the world in a regulated manner. We do not want to leave a disorderly world for future generations.

We have also discussed issues of strategic importance to us. At the same time, we discussed prospects for economic cooperation. You have already mentioned several criteria. In 2022, Azerbaijan played a major role in Germany. When the gas supply we received from Russia had stopped, Azerbaijan took on a great responsibility, and I would like to thank you very much for that. I understood from your words that in addition to gas, there is also a need for expanding infrastructure here. So we need to work on improving the infrastructure in Europe. Because it is not sufficient. In a nutshell, we will have homework after these meetings.

I am very glad that Azerbaijan has developed into an important place. Very important trade routes pass through your country, which, in turn, can serve as a basis for the unification of the world. We have talked about our economic and trade relations. Your country plays a role in Germany's trade relations not only with Central Asia, but also with the Far East, including Southwest Asia and China. We know that the possibilities of the existing roads are limited. The roads passing through your country, as well as the role of the Middle Corridor, are important for the German economy and represent a good prospect. This will be even more interesting. After the events that have taken place in recent years, your South Caucasus region will become a more stable place. Mr. President, I would like to express my opinion on another issue you have touched upon. You spoke about the peace process with neighboring Armenia. This peace process is of great importance. As an outside observer, I can say that we are very impressed. In other words, great steps have been taken over the past year, great progress has been made. I congratulate both sides on the fact that understanding has already been reached. On March 13, a statement was issued saying that the text of the peace agreement had already been agreed. When I spoke about this agreement this morning, I told Mr. President that this agreement had created a moment of hope. Since this agreement has been reached, I do hope that the situation will develop further and, taking advantage of it, you will soon come to the signing of the peace agreement, and finally, real and lasting peace will be established in your region. I have great hopes for this and urge you not to miss this moment. Despite all the difficulties and obstacles, this road has been covered, many steps have been taken, and it is necessary to go all the way. However, of course, compromises require courage and political will, so that a political agreement can really be implemented and come into force. I do hope that everything will be achieved and we will provide our support in every way possible from the outside. Thank you very much.