On September 29, the first “Central Asia – Germany” summit was held in Berlin under the chairmanship of the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz. The meeting was attended by the presidents of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, and Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. Turkmenistan was represented by the Chairman of the People’s Council of the Republic Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The summit participants discussed the prospects for expanding trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, developing “green” energy and adapting to climate change, issues of natural resource and environmental protection, as well as joint efforts in ensuring stable and sustainable regional development.
According to Tokayev, regional trade with Germany reached $11 billion last year. “More than 80% of this turnover falls on Kazakhstan, and we are ready to increase exports to Germany by an additional 100 non-raw material positions for a total of $850 million,” said the President of Kazakhstan.
Following his meeting with Tokayev, Olaf Scholz stated that Kazakhstan is Germany’s most important trading partner in Central Asia. “We want to continue improving conditions for expanding trade and investment,” Scholz wrote on his page in X (formerly Twitter).
Tokayev also spoke out in favor of trade without restrictions and barriers and condemned the sanctions confrontation: “Kazakhstan is against the sanctions confrontation, since politically motivated restrictions poison the overall atmosphere of international relations and do not contribute to the development of trade and economic cooperation between states. At the same time, we are forced to take into account the sanctions restrictions in regional policy. We believe that it is time for constructive diplomacy to find a mutually acceptable formula for peace and cooperation,” said the Kazakh leader.
On the same day, at the economic forum held in Berlin, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to hold a Central Asian exhibition of high industrial technologies of leading German manufacturers in Uzbekistan. He stated that Central Asia is a region of great opportunities for German business representatives. The region has all the necessary potential to fully meet domestic needs and export quality goods to European countries. The President of Uzbekistan emphasized the importance of developing effective routes connecting Central Asia with Europe.
Sadyr Japarov drew the attention of summit participants to the destruction of traditional supply chains in the modern world. He expressed hope that with the support of the European Union, Central Asian countries will be able to diversify their trade and economic relations. Japarov called on investors and international partners to explore opportunities for building renewable energy facilities and other “green” projects in the region.
Emomali Rahmon called for efforts to create production chains in the region, stimulate export activities, and expand the range of goods offered. Tajikistan is also interested in simplifying access to the European market and jointly forming effective transport and logistics corridors.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan welcomes the initiative to create a new multilateral format and is ready to expand partnership in all areas of common interest.
