Azerbaijan, Germany discuss multifaceted cooperation, regional issues PHOTO

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and German Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia Matthias Lüttenberg have discussed multifaceted cooperation.

The discussion took place as part of the Azerbaijani delegation's working visit to Germany on June 7-8 for the purpose of regular political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Germany, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The visit also included meetings with German presidential foreign policy adviser Wolfgang Silbermann, head of the Federal Chancellor's Office for Foreign and Security Policy Christian Aulbach and State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Susanne Baumann.

During consultations and meetings, the sides analyzed the state of Azerbaijani-German relations and exchanged views on opportunities to expand cooperation.

Great opportunities for the expansion of trade and economic ties were emphasized, issues concerning the organization of high-level reciprocal visits, the development of cooperation in the fields of energy, including green energy, transport, communications, industry and investments were discussed.

At the same time, the sides touched upon humanitarian, cultural and educational ties and ways of expanding cooperation within international organizations. The sides also exchanged views on regional security and international issues of mutual interest.

During the discussions, the German side was informed in detail about Armenia's contradictory stances and approaches towards the peace process, about its activities which often undermine the peace process, and about Armenia's failure to implement the commitments undertaken in the framework of the Trilateral Declaration.

At the same time, the German side was informed about the restoration and construction work carried out by Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation, the projects underway to return the population to its lands, humanitarian demining measures and the reintegration of residents of Armenian origin in the Karabakh region into the legal, economic and social space of Azerbaijan.

Germany and Azerbaijan have enjoyed good bilateral relations since 1992. Azerbaijan is Germany’s principal economic partner in the Caucasus. Germany’s only Chamber of Commerce Abroad in the region is based in Baku. Azerbaijan is one of Germany’s ten most important suppliers of crude oil. The key exports are machinery, motor vehicles and components, iron and steel products, and production facilities.

Regional development cooperation focuses on sustainable development, environmental and climate protection, democracy, municipal development and promoting the rule of law.