Azerbaijan, Germany to expand economic ties
By Nigar Orujova
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany is developing dynamically.
This was said by Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov at a meeting with a German delegation headed by Chairman of the German-Azerbaijani Forum Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer on March 28.
"The institutions from civil society, including this forum play an important role in deepening existing relations," Khalafov said.
He noted that Azerbaijan's economy is developing dynamically, and there are great opportunities for even closer cooperation in the economic sphere. Khalafov said the German-Azerbaijani forum can contribute to the economic and trade relations between the two countries.
In turn, Schleyer said he held a number of meetings during his visit to Azerbaijan, and noted that the forum has come up with numerous projects aimed at developing economic, cultural and humanitarian relations.
The sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
During the visit, Schleyer also met with Head of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) Rufat Mammadov.
They discussed how to boost cooperation between Azerbaijani and German businessmen.
Mammadov briefed Schleyer on economic successes of Azerbaijan as well as fruitful business climate and large-scale regional projects carried out so far.
Schleyer, in turn, stressed the importance of holding bilateral meetings and business forums in terms of expanding cooperation between the two countries, adding that continuation of these events would contribute to developing economic cooperation and establishing new bonds.
Germany is among the top trade partners of Azerbaijan. There are over 100 German companies in Azerbaijan. German companies have also acted as contractors under 10 investment projects worth more than 460 million euros.
Trade turnover between the two countries increased by 32 percent last year compared with 2012. The total trade volume in 2013 amounted to 3.1 billion euros.