ASTANA: Kazakhstan hosted the second Germany-Central Asia summit on Tuesday in its capital Astana, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joining the leaders of Central Asia for high-level talks aimed at strengthening regional and bilateral ties.
The summit, held at the Independence Palace, was attended by all five Central Asian presidents: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Serdar Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan.
Chancellor Scholz, who is on a three-day official visit to Central Asia, was warmly welcomed by President Tokayev to the Independence Palace hosting the summit.
In his opening remarks, President Tokayev expressed gratitude to Chancellor Scholz and the Central Asian leaders for their participation, noting that the dialogue initiated at the first summit in Berlin last September has evolved into a “regular and trusting” engagement. Tokayev emphasized the mutual interest in deepening regional strategic partnerships, according to a statement from the Kazakh presidency.
“The regularity and trust in our dialogue reflect our mutual interest in developing a comprehensive regional partnership,” Tokayev said. He praised Germany’s socio-economic, scientific, and technological advancements as exemplary, underscoring Kazakhstan’s appreciation for Germany’s commitment to establishing an equitable partnership with Central Asian nations.
Tokayev outlined key priorities for future cooperation, including increasing trade turnover and expanding energy collaboration. He expressed Kazakhstan’s readiness to boost oil exports to Germany and advance green energy initiatives.
Tokayev announced a collaborative project with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to build a green energy transmission line under the Caspian Sea, extending to European countries. He extended an invitation to German partners to join this strategic endeavor.
The Kazakh President also highlighted other priorities such as enhancing industrial cooperation, strengthening transport and logistics connectivity, and fostering scientific and educational ties. He reaffirmed the commitment of the participating countries to support the United Nations’ efforts in addressing global challenges, including terrorism, extremism, illegal migration, climate change, and peacekeeping.
A joint statement was adopted at the conclusion of the summit, reflecting the outcomes of the discussions and the shared commitments of the participating nations.
Chancellor Scholz’s visit to Astana follows his trip to Uzbekistan, marking the continuation of his official tour of Central Asia.
