Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to resolving Europe’s energy security problems, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated at a news conference held jointly with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in Berlin, February 4.

Aliyev pointed out that the Azerbaijani-German relations have been rapidly developing over the past three years, since his last visit to Germany. Aliyev pointed out the developing bilateral economic cooperation.

The Azerbaijani President stated his country supports the Nabucco project and is ready to take the opportunity. According to him, Azerbaijan plans to sell more energy resources to the European Union.

Angela Merkel, in turn, stated Germany’s readiness to support Azerbaijan is various fields and stressed that, as an oil and gas exporter, Azerbaijan is an important partner for Germany.

Germany will supply know-how to Azerbaijan in exchange for gas supply preferences. This cooperation means new orders for German industry and energy sector modernization for Azerbaijan, Merkel said.

The Nabucco gas pipeline is expected to supply Caspian gas to Europe bypassing Russia. Experts, however, say that the project may be postponed or even canceled because of excessive supply, poor demand or funding problems. In his recent interview with Bloomberg the Azerbaijani President admitted that the project has become “too politicized.” He pointed out numerous questions that have for a long time remained unanswered. According to Aliyev, a number of countries have joined the rival project, South Stream, thereby creating “uncertainty.”

The Azeri leader is to hold a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in Munich today.

T.P.