The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Germany established in 1992 after Germany recognized the independence of Azerbaijan. History Germans in Azerbaijan The beginning of mutual relations dates back to the 19th century. German company “Siemens Brothers” built copper smelting plants in Gadabay, and cobalt plant in Dashkesan. As the result of the construction of these plants, the activity of German industrialist grew in Azerbaijan and German colonies emerged in surrounding areas, especially in Goygol (Helenendorf) and Shamkir (Annenfeld). The German population of Azerbaijan reached 23133 until 1939 living in 8 colonies. In 1941, Soviet authorities deported German population of Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan and Siberia. Diplomatic relations Germany recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on January 12, 1992. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Germany established on February 20, 1992. Azerbaijan opened its first Embassy in Western Europe, in Germany on September 2, 1992, and Embassy of Germany to Azerbaijan was opened on September 22, 1992.Ramin Hasanov was accredited as the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Germany in September 2016. Michael Kindsgrab is the Ambassador of Germany in Azerbaijan since August 2016. Legal base of bilateral relations Several documents signed between the two countries: the Agreement on Financial Cooperation (April, 1995); Agreement on Air Transport (July 1995); Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (December 1995); Agreement on abrogation of double taxation in respect to income and property taxes (August 2004); Agreement on military cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan and the Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany; Joint Declaration on Legal Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Germany; Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a high-level Working Group on Trade and Investment between the Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan and the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology of Germany (May 2011); Agreement between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the establishment of the German-Azerbaijani Foreign Trade Chamber in Baku (March 2012). High level visits Visits from Azerbaijan to Germany President Heydar Aliyev (1996) President Ilham Aliyev (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016.) Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016) Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Araz Azimov (22–23 February 2016) Visits from Germany to Azerbaijan President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2007, 2014 and 2016) Chancellor Angela Merkel (2018) Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle (2012)