What's top on the Agenda for Merkel's Tour in the Caucasus?

Angela Merkel's working visit to the three South Caucasian republics following her meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin is at the forefront of mainstream media. A particular importance is attached to her visit to Azerbaijan. A much-anticipated visit of German Chancellor will focus on security, European integration, regional and bilateral issues. At the top of Chancellor's visit to Azerbaijan will be the further development of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGS). Germany is looking for alternative gas supplies in order to decrease dependence from Russia (Reuters, August 22). In addition to Azerbaijan's role as a supplier country, Germany also looks forward to Azerbaijan's potential contribution as a transit corridor between Central Asia and Europe. A legal agreement signed on 12 August 2018 among the five Caspian littoral states sharing the shoreline of the largest inland body of water paves the way for construction of Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP) (Euractiv, August 23). The TCP envisages the transportation of Turkmen gas to Europe bypassing Russia.

Albert Weiler incident

The refusal of Baku to allow German MP Albert Weiler (above left) to accompany Angela Merkel won't overshadow her visit. 

Unauthorized visits to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is considered an illegal action and in accordance to Azerbaijani law, a person visiting occupied territories without asking a permission from Baku is included to the list of persona non grata. Official Baku constantly warned foreign nationals over taking unauthorized visits to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani government believes that by organizing the visits of foreign nationals to Nagorno-Karabakh and other adjacent territories of Azerbaijan Armenia tries to legitimize its occupation.

Nevertheless, Azerbaijan understands that many foreign nationals visited occupied territories perhaps without knowing where they are going. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic notes that in case foreign nationals regret their unauthorized visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and officially appeal to exclude their names from the list, Azerbaijani side will take necessary actions to remove the visiting ban. Also, Baku has not turned down the requests of any officials or individuals with prior notification to visit occupied territories. Earlier, the visits of foreign media outlets to cover the visit of Armenia's PM Nikol Pashinyan to Nagorno-Karabakh was allowed by Baku (Vestnikkavkaza, May 9). Because these media representatives officially requested the permission of Baku.