Germany's Foreign Minister addresses the event
On January 27, an event titled “Turning Point in the South Caucasus: Historic Peace Between Azerbaijan and Armenia” was held at the German Parliamentary Society, affiliated with the Bundestag, in Berlin.
The event was organized by Germany’s ICI Institute and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
This was the first event of its kind held in Germany in this format. It was attended by representatives of the German government, members of the Bundestag, experts, journalists, and prominent figures from Germany’s political, economic, and academic circles.
Speakers at the event included Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, Chairman of the German Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs Armin Laschet, as well as Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev and Armenia’s Ambassador to Germany Viktor Yengibaryan.
In his address, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul noted that, as the former chairman of the Bundestag’s German–South Caucasus Parliamentary Group, he was closely familiar with the former Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict and had regularly discussed the issue with the ambassadors of both countries at the time. The Minister emphasized that the results achieved in the peace process last year represent a major achievement for both countries and an important event in European history. Wadephul stated that these achievements provide grounds for looking to the future with hope and affirmed that Germany stands ready to continue contributing to this process. He added that this peace also creates broad opportunities for both countries to establish stable and reliable relations with the European Union.
Armin Laschet highly appreciated the fact that such an event, with the participation of the ambassadors of both countries, was held in Berlin for the first time. He stressed that this process is important not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also for Germany, as it will open new transport and railway connections to Central Asia, which is also significant for Europe. Laschet also recalled his participation in German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s first official visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia last year, particularly highlighting Azerbaijan’s rich tradition of tolerance and the peaceful coexistence of representatives of all religions.
In his speech, Ambassador Nasimi Aghayev stated that following the 2020 Patriotic War, under the far-sighted and strategic leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan took practical steps toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. “It was Azerbaijan that initiated the peace agenda, put forward the basic principles of the peace agreement, and presented its first draft. Although negotiations were conducted in a bilateral format, Germany played a particularly constructive role in the decisive phase. In August last year, at the historic peace summit in Washington, the parties signed a joint declaration and initialed the peace agreement, opening a new page in relations,” he said.
Ambassador Aghayev emphasized the necessity of fully aligning Armenia’s Constitution with the principles of the peace agreement and promptly removing all territorial claims against Azerbaijan to ensure a stable and legally robust peace.
The Ambassador also highlighted Azerbaijan’s concrete steps in recent months to strengthen peace, as well as the intensification of dialogue between parliaments and civil societies.
Touching on the importance of the TRIPP route, Aghayev noted that this corridor, which envisages an unobstructed connection between mainland Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, will further solidify peace through shared economic interests. In addition, the TRIPP route is important for diversifying trade and connectivity across a broader region, which will improve supply chains for Europe and Germany. The Ambassador stressed the importance of the full and timely implementation of commitments to establish this route.
Following the speeches, the ambassadors answered numerous questions from event participants.
Elvin Movsum
Special correspondent
