German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced plans to increase natural gas imports from Azerbaijan, marking a significant step in Berlin’s ongoing effort to diversify its energy supply away from Russian sources.
The commitment was made during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Berlin, underscoring the growing strategic importance of the Caucasus region for European energy security.
Merz highlighted that since Germany halted Russian gas deliveries four and a half years ago, the country has actively sought alternative suppliers to ensure stable and secure energy flows.
Azerbaijan, with its substantial natural gas reserves and existing infrastructure links to Europe, is positioned to play a larger role in this new supply architecture.
The announcement aligns with broader European Union efforts to reduce dependency on single-source energy providers and strengthen ties with reliable non-Russian partners.
The meeting also touched on broader geopolitical dynamics, with Aliyev confirming discussions related to the so-called "Baku Connection," a term referencing ongoing diplomatic and economic engagements between Germany, Azerbaijan, and other regional stakeholders.