TV Berlin: Azerbaijan is Germany's largest trading partner in S. Caucasus

German television channel TV Berlin has aired an extensive report on relations between Azerbaijan and Germany, noting that Azerbaijan is the largest trading partner of Germany in the South Caucasus.

The report said more than 200 German companies operate in Azerbaijan in sectors including engineering, construction, logistics, energy and services.

It highlighted Azerbaijan's growing role as a strategic partner for both Germany and Europe.

According to the report, Azerbaijan's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has significantly increased its importance in recent years in areas such as energy security, trade, transport and regional stability. In this context, the channel pointed to the recent visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Baku, during which discussions focused on expanding cooperation in energy, transport, digital infrastructure and regional connectivity.

It further stated that political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Germany has reached a new level in recent years, reflecting the dynamic development of bilateral relations.

The author highlighted that President Ilham Aliyev has visited Germany five times since 2023, including two visits to Berlin at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and another trip to attend the Munich Security Conference.

The report also recalled that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the first German head of state to make an official visit to Azerbaijan when he travelled to the country in April last year.

Describing the South Caucasus as a crucial geopolitical bridge linking Europe, the Caspian region and Central Asia, the report stressed that Azerbaijan's strategic location creates significant opportunities for deeper cooperation and greater regional stability.

Particular attention was given to the Middle Corridor, which the report described as an increasingly important transit route connecting Europe and Central Asia. It noted that secure and diversified logistics corridors are of growing strategic value for export-oriented economies such as Germany.

Energy cooperation was identified as one of the pillars of the partnership. The report said following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe accelerated efforts to diversify energy supplies, leading Azerbaijan to increase natural gas exports to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor from around 8 billion cubic metres annually before the conflict to 13 billion cubic metres.

The report also emphasised Azerbaijan's growing investments in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar power, noting that the country is positioning itself as a future hub for green energy corridors linking the Caspian region with Europe.

According to TV Berlin, this cooperation does not create new dependencies for Germany but instead contributes to the diversification of energy supplies and strengthens energy security.

TV Berlin also highlighted ongoing efforts to normalise relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that progress in this area could unlock new opportunities for regional cooperation. It described the initialling of the peace agreement in Washington in August 2025 as a landmark diplomatic achievement that could contribute to long-term stability in the South Caucasus.

Azerbaijan's ambassador to Germany, Nasimi Aghayev, was quoted as saying: "Energy security, economic stability, strengthening connectivity between Asia and Europe, and reliable supply chains occupy an important place in the Germany-Azerbaijan cooperation. All this brings great benefits to our citizens and economies."

Concluding the report, TV Berlin stressed that cooperation between Germany and Azerbaijan now extends well beyond energy. Trade, transport and communications, stronger Europe-Asia connectivity, resilient supply chains and regional stability are increasingly shaping the strategic partnership, with Azerbaijan assuming a more prominent role on Europe's geopolitical map.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov