Merz wants to buy more gas from Azerbaijan – Aliyev confirms meeting of the 'Baku Connection'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced plans to increase natural gas imports from Azerbaijan during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Berlin on July 21, 2026. Merz stated that since Germany stopped Russian gas deliveries four and a half years ago, Azerbaijan has become an important partner for energy supply, particularly for southern Germany. The two leaders signed a declaration to deepen partnership, including potential hydrogen imports. Aliyev indirectly confirmed a secret meeting of the so-called 'Baku Connection' involving former German politicians Matthias Platzeck and Ronald Pofalla, along with Russian officials Viktor Zubkov and Valery Fadeyev, who are considered confidants of Vladimir Putin. Merz said he was unaware of such a meeting. Aliyev expressed hope that if the meeting contributes to ending the Russia-Ukraine war, it would be welcome. The article also notes Azerbaijan's reliance on oil and gas revenues, its 2025 peace treaty with Armenia, and ongoing criticism of its human rights record.
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