'Future of bilateral trade between Germany and Azerbaijan is bright'

The future of bilateral trade between Germany and Azerbaijan is bright, German ambassador to Azerbaijan Herbert Quelle said in an interview with APA.

‘In 2011 we recorded an increase in our bilateral trade volume with exports from Azerbaijan (mostly oil) reaching more than 1.5 bio Euro and German exports of more than 800 mio Euro. I am confident that the establishment of a bilateral Chamber of Commerce in Baku which was agreed during the visit of my Foreign Minister in March 2012 will encourage German business also to invest more in Azerbaijan,” he said.

“In the energy field Germany is interested in diversifying its gas supply and therefore supporting pipeline projects developed under the heading of the Southern Corridor. German companies are invested in both remaining competing projects, RWE in Nabucco and E.on in TAP. As far as I know the project choice will be made before June 2013.”


Quelle also touched upon the impact of the current crisis in Europe, particularly in Greece and Spain, to the relations between Azerbaijan and the EU. “We are not an official lifeguard of the Eurozone, who would be obliged to risk his own existence in the attempt to save others. We are at the moment working on the correction of some constructive deficiencies of the Eurozone. We need a stronger political union including more cohesion of economic and fiscal responsibilities. At the moment I do not see any effect on EU-Azerbaijani relations,” he noted.

Azerbaijan offers a very varied landscape and can be proud of the great hospitality of its people, Quelle said .

International tourism is extremely competitive and sensitive. The potential to develop it exists in Azerbaijan. But as an individual tourist one still experiences shortcomings if you expect European standards. I believe that the Eurovision Song Contest created some curiosity in discovering Azerbaijan. If the country wants to attract European tourists, however, visas should be abolished. They are a significant obstacle.


/APA/