More than gas: Germany bets on Azerbaijan as a new power center of Eurasia

The official visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Germany became a landmark event not only in the context of bilateral relations, but on a much larger scale as well.

In particular, the visit demonstrated a shift in Berlin's approach to the South Caucasus amid rapidly changing global politics. Today, Germany increasingly proceeds from the assumption that long-term sustainability of the European economy cannot be ensured without cooperation with states capable of influencing the situation in neighboring regions. This is precisely why Azerbaijan is increasingly viewed not only as an energy supplier, but also as an independent regional power center, writes the newspaper "Caspian".

A visit against the backdrop of geopolitics

Over the past several years, the geopolitical map of Eurasia has changed almost beyond recognition. The war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, the escalation of global rivalry among major powers, the restructuring of transport routes and energy markets are compelling European states to think not only about the present day, but also about what the continent will look like in 10-15 years.

It is precisely in this context that the outcomes of Ilham Aliyev's visit to Berlin should be viewed. Germany is effectively demonstrating its readiness to build long-term relations with those states whose influence will grow in the coming years. The South Caucasus is gradually transforming into one of the key hubs of Eurasia, and Azerbaijan into a country without which it is becoming difficult to discuss issues of energy security, transport connectivity, and regional stability.

For Azerbaijan itself, this visit also carries strategic significance. Baku's foreign policy has traditionally been built on the principle of multi-vector diplomacy. Azerbaijan consistently develops relations with Turkey, Central Asian states, China, the Arab world, and Russia, while simultaneously deepening cooperation with the European Union. This approach allows it to maintain considerable room for maneuver amid growing international competition.

This is precisely why strengthening the partnership with Germany becomes an important element of Azerbaijan's overall strategy to reinforce its positions on both the eastern and western fronts.

Economy as the foundation of relations

It is noteworthy that the economic basis for such cooperation has existed for decades. Looking at specific figures, by the end of 2025 the volume of bilateral trade turnover amounted to approximately 1.4 billion dollars. More than 200 companies with German capital operate in Azerbaijan, and the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce remains the only German foreign trade chamber in the South Caucasus, uniting more than 150 companies. These figures indicate that German business has long regarded Azerbaijan as one of the most attractive markets in the region.

And yet, the main outcome of the visit was not the economic indicators, but the creation of a new political foundation for cooperation. The signed Joint Declaration on the Strategic Agenda