Germany's strategic partnership with Central Asian states strengthens the economy and exchanges, while emphasizing an independent judiciary and human rights.

Germany's strategic partnership with Central Asian states strengthens the economy and exchanges, while emphasizing an independent judiciary and human rights.

For a long time, from Germany's perspective, countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were a region in the shadow of the major powers Russia and China with only moderate interest. However, that is now changing as Germany has agreed to a strategic partnership with the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia for the first time. This partnership is intended to “strengthen and enhance” existing cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy, energy, climate, environment, regional cooperation and citizen exchange, according to a joint statement after the first summit between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of state of the Central Asian countries. Further summits are planned for next year in Central Asia.

The Central Asia region has a population of almost 80 million inhabitants and an area that is around eleven times the size of Germany and roughly corresponds to the entire European Union with its 27 member states. For a long time the region was in the shadow of China and Russia, but due to the Russian attack on Ukraine, Russia is no longer an important energy supplier for Germany. For this reason, Chancellor Scholz's federal government is looking for new partners to reduce economic dependence on China.

The raw material deposits in the Central Asian countries are particularly interesting for Germany, especially Kazakhstan, which, as the region's strongest economy, already supplies the refinery in Schwedt with oil and is considered a potential partner for the production of hydrogen from renewable energies. However, there are also concerns about human rights abuses in some of the Central Asian countries.

This strategic partnership with Central Asia represents an important step for Germany towards diversifying its economic relations. The impact on the market and the financial sector could be reflected in increasing investments and trade relations between Germany and the Central Asian countries. German companies in particular could benefit from the raw material deposits and other economic opportunities in the region.

Source: According to a report from www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de