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Merz and Aliyev in Berlin: Germany seeks to import more Azerbaijani gas and oil
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on July 21, 2026, according to Die Zeit. Following the meeting, Merz announced that Germany wants to significantly increase its imports of Azerbaijani gas and oil. The existing contract provides for 1.5 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas annually—less than 2% of German gas consumption. Azerbaijan has been supplying gas to Germany since early 2026. The partnership remains controversial due to Aliyev's authoritarian rule and Azerbaijan's 2023 military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Merz and Aliyev met in Berlin on July 21, 2026.
- Germany wants to significantly increase Azerbaijani gas and oil imports.
- Current contract covers less than 2% of German gas consumption.
- Partnership criticized over Aliyev's authoritarian regime.
- Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a peace agreement in 2025.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on July 21, 2026, according to Die Zeit. Following the meeting, Merz announced that Germany wants to significantly increase its imports of Azerbaijani gas and oil.
What we know
The existing framework is a ten-year contract providing for the delivery of 1.5 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas annually, or approximately 15 TWh. This volume represents less than 2% of German gas consumption, estimated at 845 TWh last year.
Azerbaijan has been supplying gas to Germany since the beginning of 2026. Aliyev indicated that his country is prepared to significantly increase these supplies, provided there are new requests beyond the existing contract and an expansion of infrastructure.
Merz also discussed the potential importance of oil imports from Azerbaijan for southern Germany, where the infrastructure exists or can be developed. He also mentioned future diversification including hydrogen.
The figures
1.5 Gm³/year
Contractual volume of Azerbaijani gas delivered to Germany
< 2%
Share of this gas in German gas consumption (845 TWh/year)
11.3 Gm³
Azerbaijani gas delivered to the EU in 2025, or ≈ 4% of total imports
20 Gm³/year
Target set by the 2022 EU–Azerbaijan agreement, not yet reached
2025 deliveries11.3
2022 agreement target
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