Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Germany are developing rapidly.

This remark was made by Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov at a meeting with a German delegation.

The German delegation included Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer, the Chairman of the Board of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, former Secretary General of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts, former State Secretary, as well as Karin Strenz, the MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of the Southern Caucasus, Raynold Robben, the Chair of the German-Israeli Society, Michael-Andreas Butz, the Secretary General of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, former Secretary of State, and Rainer Lindner, the CEO of the Eastern Committee of German Economy.

The parliament speaker praised the activity of the Germany-Azerbaijan Forum, adding that the forum will contribute to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Asadov also noted Germany is one of the important partners of Azerbaijan in the European Union.

Asadov found the need to develop interparliamentary relations even more. He said the Azerbaijani parliament has established a working group for expanding Azerbaijan-Germany interparliamentary ties. Meanwhile, a friendship group is established at the German parliament. He underlined the need for developing the cooperation between these groups.

Schleyer, for his part, said the Germany-Azerbaijan Forum contributes to the bilateral relations between the two nations. He noted both sides make every effort to increase effectiveness of the forum.

The German delegation was also received by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Mammadyarov hailed the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Germany. He invited German companies to play more active role in various fields of Azerbaijan's economy, particularly in the non-oil sector.

Highlighting the activities of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, Schleyer said this organization aims to contribute to deepening political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

He praised Azerbaijan's dynamic development, and stressed the country's important role in ensuring regional peace and stability.

Speaking about regional peace and security, Mammadyarov said the fact that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains unresolved is a main obstacle to comprehensive development of the region.

He noted the settlement of the dispute may open up new opportunities for the South Caucasus region.

"Armenia should firstly withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories to pave the way for the settlement of the conflict," Mammadyarov added.

The Azerbaijani minister also underlined the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in the expansion of cooperation among the countries.

As part of the visit, the German delegation met with Azerbaijan's Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

Mustafayev said Germany invested around $500 million in Azerbaijan's fixed capital in 2002-2013.

Currently, some 177 companies with German investment are operating in Azerbaijan's commercial, construction, industrial, banking, insurance, agriculture, as well as service sectors.

"The economic relations between the two countries are developing successfully and the mutual high-level visits play an important role in this field. To date, 67 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Germany in various fields," the minister said. "The Azerbaijani-German Chamber of Foreign Trade established in 2012 in Baku is the second in the CIS space and plays an important role in the expansion of economic cooperation and trade relations between the two countries."

Also, Azerbaijan has sent about 200 entrepreneurs and young managers to various German cities in 2009-2014 to take training courses within a joint program to upgrade their skills in business management.

The event participants also noted Germany's experience in the professional training of personnel will also be used in Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park.

Earlier the German delegation was received by President Ilham Aliyev.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Germany were established in February 1992. The Azerbaijani-German trade turnover amounted to $1.744 billion in 2012. In the first half of 2013, the figure was $1.066 billion.

There are over 100 German companies in Azerbaijan. German companies have also acted as contractors in 10 investment projects worth more than 460 million euros.

Germany is fourth among Azerbaijan's foreign trade partners. Last year, trade turnover between the two countries increased by 25 percent and exceeded $2.2 billion. It made up $1.3 billion in the first half of the year.