17.09.2024

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the second “Central Asia-Germany” summit held in Astana on September 17.

The event, chaired by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was also attended by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The issues of further deepening of multifaceted cooperation between Central Asian countries and Germany were considered. Special attention was paid to the development of partnership in the areas of investment and technology, critical raw materials, green energy, transport and logistics, climate change, as well as implementation of educational and cultural programs.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan expressed appreciation for Germany's firm and unwavering support for the ongoing democratic transformations and socio-economic reforms in Central Asian countries, partnership and integration in the region.
– The first meeting in Berlin and today's event once again confirm the general attitude to continue open and constructive dialogue and focus on achieving concrete practical results, – underscored Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Head of State emphasized the long-standing historical ties with Germany and the important role of the Federal Republic in ensuring sustainable development goals in Central Asia. It was stressed that the profound changes that have taken place in the region in recent years have contributed to the dynamic development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

With a view to further development of Central Asia's comprehensive cooperation with Germany, the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of new initiatives and proposals.

First of all, praising the establishment of a strategic regional partnership between Central Asia and Germany, the Leader of Uzbekistan proposed to adopt a long-term Concept of partnership development with program measures in priority areas.
In order to develop this document, the need to establish the Forum of think tanks “Central Asia - Germany” with its first meeting next year in Khiva was noted.

The important role of the annual meetings of foreign ministers in preparing the agenda of the summits was pointed out.

The priority is to increase investment and technological partnership with leading companies in Germany. 

In this regard, it was proposed to develop a road map for expanding investment and technological cooperation between Central Asia and Germany, actively involve leading German companies and banks in the implementation of joint projects in the region, create a Council of Investors and Entrepreneurs “Central Asia and Germany”, and explore the possibility of adopting a multilateral intergovernmental agreement on the promotion and protection of investments.
Partnership in the sphere of critical raw material resources based on the introduction of advanced knowledge and technologies of Germany was mentioned as a promising direction.

– We are talking about projects of geological exploration, intensive development, processing and production of products with high added value, organization of supplies to Germany and other countries of the European Union, – said the Head of State.
Uzbekistan's readiness to participate in joint implementation of such projects in neighboring countries was noted.

In addition, interest was expressed in attracting technical assistance from Germany in implementing the Program on creation of digital maps of explored deposits of critical minerals and rare earth metals in the region. The importance of forming a reliable legal basis for such cooperation was stressed.

Cooperation in the field of “green” energy is of particular importance. 

– In recent years, all our countries have been actively developing solar, wind and hydropower energy, modernizing thermal power plants and grids, and promoting green hydrogen projects, – mentioned the Leader of Uzbekistan.

The Head of State proposed to launch an Energy Dialogue between Central Asian countries and Germany with the involvement of energy ministries, large corporations, operators, scientific organizations and industry experts.

Interest was expressed in the preparation of a Comprehensive Capacity Building Program for specialists in the field of low-carbon economy with attraction of technical assistance from Germany.

Joint response to climate change is of particular relevance.

In this regard, it was proposed to expand joint educational programs and scientific exchanges on the basis of the Central Asian University for the study of the environment and climate change, as well as to adopt cooperation programs on the introduction of German technologies for rational water use, modernization of irrigation systems, biodiversity conservation, training of environmental specialists.

Support and readiness to take an active part in practical implementation of the German Chancellor’s initiative on creation of the Central Asian Natural Partnership was expressed.

– The biggest barrier to deepening our partnership is the underdevelopment of transport communications, including land and air transportation, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In this regard, he called on the German side to assist in involving European institutions in the development of alternative transportation corridors connecting Central Asia with Europe.

The Head of State suggested holding a joint ministerial conference in 2025 to elaborate ways to increase the transit potential of such routes.

Noting the demand for the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the President of Uzbekistan spoke in favor of adopting a joint Plan of Cultural Events, holding Days of Art and Cinema of Central Asia in major German cities, and establishing interaction between museum funds.

In the sphere of scientific and educational exchange, the sides stressed the importance of launching a platform for partnership between leading universities, developing programs to expand cooperation in dual education, training German language teachers with the involvement of the Goethe Institute and other German organizations.

The need to continue close cooperation with Germany on combating terrorism, extremism and cybercrime and preventing radicalization of youth was emphasized.

The Leader of Uzbekistan noted that the security situation in Central Asia is inextricably linked to the ongoing processes in Afghanistan.

– We believe it is important not to allow the humanitarian crisis to worsen in that country, which has been practically left alone with its problems, – заявил Шавкат Мирзиёев.

In this regard, the readiness to cooperate with Germany and other European partners was emphasized for the implementation of joint projects aimed at involving this country in regional economic cooperation and training of personnel, including girls and women on specialties in demand for peaceful life in Afghanistan on the basis at the Educational Center in the border city of Termez.

The heads of Central Asian states and the Chancellor of Germany also spoke at the summit.

A joint statement was adopted at the end of the event.