President Ilham Aliyev: “It is a great honor for Azerbaijan to be chosen unanimously as the host country for COP29”
Azerbaijan-Germany relations have expanded at a high level in all areas. The political dialogue between the two countries was continued at the highest level through regular mutual visits. The results of the first official visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Germany in 2004 once again confirmed the greater potential for cooperation between the two countries. A number of agreements signed during the visit opened wide opportunities for economic cooperation. In total, more than 80 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Germany. President Ilham Aliyev discussed the prospects of bilateral relations, including relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, the successful implementation of economic reforms in Azerbaijan, during his meetings with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholtz, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Berbok and other officials in Berlin on April 26. They discussed peace talks with Armenia. German officials have declared that they are always ready to help Azerbaijan in various fields as an important partner. President Ilham Aliyev said in his statement that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has been completely restored: “In 2020, Azerbaijan liberated a large part of its sovereign territory from occupation. It fully restored its sovereignty in September last year. We ensured our territorial integrity by military and political means based on the norms and principles of international law and based on Article 51 of the UN Charter. In the meetings held by the officials of the two countries, the importance of liberating Azerbaijani territories from occupation and achieving peace was also discussed. In recent years, Germany and Azerbaijan have successfully cooperated in the fields of defense, political security and combating terrorism.
The agreement on cultural cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany dated December 22, 1995 creates a legal basis in this area. According to this agreement, Azerbaijan-Germany Joint Commission was established. In 2008, Azerbaijan spent the first year of cultural exchange in Germany. For this purpose, a delegation of 120 people headed by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan visited Germany.
President Ilham Aliyev also participated in the High-Level Segment of the “15th Petersburg Climate Dialogue” held in Berlin. In his speech at the event, the head of state said that it is a great honor for Azerbaijan to be chosen by unanimous decision as the host country for COP29: “We consider this a sign of the international community’s respect for Azerbaijan and the work we do, including our activities in the field of green energy. Azerbaijan’s international relations with various international organizations and its active participation in them will create an opportunity for us to build bridges between the countries of different continents or to strengthen them, as well as to strengthen their solidarity. The participation of President Ilham Aliyev in this Climate Conference is the main indicator of Azerbaijan playing a leading role in solving global problems. Because this measure is of great importance in terms of solving the upcoming tasks related to climate change. As mentioned in the conference, climate financing will remain the main subject of negotiations after 2025 at the conference to be held in Baku. Azerbaijan, by hosting COP29, will make its next contribution to unifying the efforts of all countries related to climate change and transition to green energy.
Germany is one of the most important economic partners of Azerbaijan in Europe, and Azerbaijan is one of the most important economic partners of Germany in the South Caucasus. Germany is interested in expanding economic and cultural relations with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is one of the ten most important countries supplying crude oil to Germany. Major exports include machinery, vehicles and components, iron and steel products, and manufacturing plants. Mr. President said that Azerbaijan simply provides its own infrastructure and a very good investment environment: “We will save the large amount of natural gas that Europe needs. At the same time, we are currently in the final stages of technical feasibility studies for laying single transmission lines from wind power plants in the Caspian Sea to Europe, including a cable through the bottom of the Black Sea. This will create an opportunity to export four gigawatts of Azerbaijan’s green energy to Europe. Our proven offshore wind reserves are 157 gigawatts. This is a manifestation of potential. For many years, the wind caused some concern for the residents of Baku. But now wind energy will create conditions for great work, cooperation and partnership and strengthen energy security.” In recent years, President Ilham Aliyev has made a number of business trips to Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference. Mutual visits at the highest level between the two countries, as well as business forums held in Germany to promote Azerbaijan’s business opportunities and the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand, make a special contribution to the further expansion of bilateral trade and economic relations and raise relations to a new level.
Pashazade Kemal Chingiz oglu
Cello teacher of the Central Art School named after Gara Garayev, Honored teacher of the Republic of Azerbaijan