BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6.
Germany is ready to support Azerbaijan's green energy export
projects, Deputy Director General at the German Federal Ministry
for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), Gerlind Heckmann, told
Trend in an
exclusive interview on Tuesday on the sidelines of the
German-Azerbaijani Strategic Partnership and Connectivity
Conference in Baku.
According to him, Germany sees great potential for the further
development of bilateral economic relations with Azerbaijan,
particularly cooperation in the energy sector, in the coming
years.
He said that it is essential for the business community to
develop concrete, structured, and economically viable projects to
further expand economic ties.
"As the German government, we are pleased to support German
companies operating in or exporting to Azerbaijan on a long-term
basis, including by providing long-term export credits. We also
collaborate with multilateral development banks to structure
projects and financing packages aimed at funding specific
initiatives and supporting businesses in both countries," Heckmann
pointed out.
According to the official, the renewable energy sector holds
great potential for Azerbaijan.
"Azerbaijan possesses significant potential for exploration and
implementation in the renewable energy sector. Once concrete
projects take shape in this area, the German government stands
ready to support their realization," he explained.
Heckmann also spoke about Azerbaijan's plans to export green
energy to Europe. He noted that the phased establishment of a
"green corridor" is one of the key issues in this regard.
"If specific projects are identified, we can support them
concretely and thereby contribute to their realization. I believe
this is a process that takes time. It will not happen overnight,
and we need to be somewhat patient. It is necessary to
systematically examine and develop the entire structure of the
'Green Corridor'," Heckmann underscored.
The deputy minister stated that he considers the current period
favorable for the development of German-Azerbaijani economic
relations.
"Now is a good time to establish connections with businesses in
both countries. I am optimistic. Positive developments are
currently being observed in bilateral relations, and the political
statements made this year have created a positive atmosphere," he
noted.
Heckmann said that the sustainability of political relations and
the long-term nature of the results achieved depend on economic
substance.
"The sustainability of these relations naturally depends on
economic substance. That is precisely what we need. For instance,
the goal of the newly established German-Azerbaijani Business
Council is to structure the economic dialogue more systematically.
A bilateral political working group has been active for years, but
now we want to focus more on economic substance on both sides," he
mentioned.
According to him, the opportunities for cooperation between the
two countries are quite extensive.
"There are broad opportunities for cooperation in
infrastructure, transport, energy, agriculture, and other sectors.
Germany's experience could be significant in all these areas. The
German economy could seek to participate in the comprehensive and
transformative processes underway in Azerbaijan," Heckmann
added.
He also stressed that the peace process in the region would have
a positive impact on economic development.
"Peace contributes to positive economic development in the
region. For decades, conflict shaped the region's political and
economic realities. Now, however, this landscape is beginning to
change, and that is a very positive development," Heckmann
said.
The official noted that ensuring lasting peace in the region is
in the interest not only of the regional countries but also of
Europe and Germany.
"This will enable the creation of new transport links, the
exploration and development of new markets, and allow investors to
make long-term plans. I believe this is precisely what we all
need," Heckmann emphasized
