ECONOMY
German media gives extensive coverage to Azerbaijan’s gas exports to German and Austrian markets
A number of leading German media outlets, including Der Spiegel, Handelsblatt, and Berliner Zeitung, have published extensive articles on Azerbaijan’s commencement of natural gas supplies to Germany and Austria for the first time.
The reports describe this development as a significant milestone for Europe’s energy security, highlighting its contribution to efforts to reduce the continent’s dependence on Russian energy resources.
German media note that following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a key agreement was reached during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Baku in the summer of 2022 to increase gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor. This agreement is described as an important step toward diversifying Europe’s energy sources and diminishing reliance on Russia.
The publications point out that Azerbaijani gas is supplied to Germany and Austria through the Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The gas is transported via Greece and Albania to southern Italy, from where it is transmitted onward to Austria and Germany. With the addition of these two new markets, the number of countries importing Azerbaijani gas has reached 16.
Der Spiegel focuses primarily on long-term energy cooperation and stable supply volumes, emphasizing the strategic importance of Azerbaijani gas for the German market. The article highlights the significance of both spot and long-term contractual supplies, recalling the 10-year agreement signed between SOCAR and Germany’s SEFE for the annual delivery of 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas. The publication also notes that Azerbaijan’s total gas exports to Europe reached 12.8 billion cubic meters in 2025, underscoring the country’s strong position in the European energy market. At the same time, it stresses that further export growth will depend on additional investments and the expansion of pipeline transmission capacity.
Germany’s leading business daily Handelsblatt approaches the issue from an energy policy perspective, noting that Azerbaijani gas plays an important role in Europe’s strategy to diversify natural gas imports. The newspaper emphasizes that the start of Azerbaijani gas imports aligns with the German government’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies, adding that strengthening Azerbaijan’s role in Europe contributes to enhancing energy security for both Germany and the continent as a whole.
Meanwhile, Berliner Zeitung draws attention to the integration of Azerbaijani gas into Europe’s energy infrastructure and the strategic role of TAP. The article notes that this development marks Azerbaijan’s first official entry into the German gas market and highlights TAP’s importance, as part of the Southern Gas Corridor, in ensuring Europe’s energy security. The newspaper also points out that the existing transmission network allows gas to be flexibly redirected to various markets, thereby increasing the reliability and resilience of energy supply across Europe.
Elvin Movsum
Special correspondent
