Azerbaijan and Germany have signed a  Joint Declaration on the Strategic Agenda for Bilateral Partners and established an Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council.

The economic agreements were signed in Berlin on July 21 by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"I am confident that the documents signed today will elevate our relations to a new level," Aliyev told a joint press conference on Tuesday according to RFI (Radio France Internationale), saying a strategic dialogue had been launched and that Germany, "as the leading country of the European Union", was increasing its influence in the South Caucasus.

RFI writes that the deal is part of Germany’s efforts to diversify its energy supply and gain greater access to Baku’s gas reserves and transit routes.  

Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliev (R) react after inspecting the honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Chancellery in Berlin on July 21, 2026. AFP - TOBIAS SCHWARZ