Merkel highlights the importance of Azerbaijan for European energy security

Speaking in Baku, on the last leg of her tour of the South Caucasus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday (25 August) highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan for Europe's energy security.

During the visit, the German Chancellor held talks with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, and addressed a German-Azerbaijani business forum.

In Baku, Chancellor Merkel once more spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "Berlin could help mediate between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia to resolve a long-running territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh", the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.

"Germany wants to help find peaceful solutions," the chancellor told journalists in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, adding that the conflict was a major burden on the region.

Merkel also called for stronger economic cooperation with Azerbaijan. German media reported that issues discussed in the private talks between Merkel and Aliyev included the domestic human rights situation, the possibility of expanding energy markets to avoid dependency on Russian gas, and efforts to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In the afternoon, the German Chancellor left Baku and returned back to Berlin.

source: commonspace.eu with dw.de and agencies

photo: An official welcomning ceremony was held at the presidential residence in Baku for the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (picture courtesy of the press service of the president of Azerbaijan)

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.