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EU Germany Bilateral Cooperation Economic cooperation International Relations Rogun HPP

Rahmon Invites German Chancellor to Cooperate on Rogun HPP

During the summit of Central Asian countries and Germany on September 17 in Astana, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on expanding Tajikistan’s cooperation with Germany and furthering Germany's business interests in the country. The president noted the significant contribution made by the German Society for International Cooperation and the German Development Bank to Tajikistan's implementation of its national strategies. With regard to future projects, the parties discussed developing effective cooperation in economy and trade, industry, hydropower, solar and wind energy, transport, and agriculture. The two leasers also exchanged views on mining and processing minerals and scarce earth metals, the expansion of bilateral cooperation in industry and agriculture, and the prospects of exporting products from Tajikistan to Germany. Talks also covered global problems related to drinking water, melting glaciers, climate change, and food security. Olaf Scholz confirmed Germany's interest in cooperating with Tajikistan in energy fields, including hydropower and other green energy sources, mining, environmental protection, and security, and emphasized, “we encourage cooperation with Tajikistan to global German companies." According to the president's press service, Emomali Rahmon recalled Germany’s contribution to the construction of the Tajikistan and Sebzor power plants in Badakhshan and the modernization of the Nurek hydroelectric power plant. Looking ahead, the president expressed confidence that such cooperation could continue on the Rogun power plant. The estimated cost of completing the construction of the Rogun HPP is $6.4 billion, and when fully operational, about 70% of the electricity produced will be exported to other Central Asian countries. The meeting closed with Rahmon inviting Scholz to come to Tajikistan on an official visit.

International Relations Central Asia Germany EU International Cooperation

Kazakhstan Hosts Summit of Central Asian Countries and Germany

Opening the summit in Astana, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Central Asian leaders for their participation and support of regional cooperation. Noting the strengthened relationship following the high-level dialog launched in Berlin last September, he stated, “I believe this is evidence of interest and aspiration from the Central Asian states and Germany for comprehensive development of strategic partnerships. Our meeting is called to summarize joint work and outline new ways to deepen cooperation. Today, we will discuss important trade, investment, energy, ecology, transportation and logistics, education, and science issues. I am confident that our constructive discussions will lead to concrete solutions that will benefit all our countries.” According to the President of Kazakhstan, Germany's socio-economic, scientific, and technological progress is an example for many countries. The positive impact of German technologies and investments in various spheres of the economy cannot be overestimated. Hence, full-scale partnership with Germany, one of the world's most developed countries and the largest economy in the European Union, is a priority for Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states. The most promising areas of cooperation between Central Asian states and Germany include increasing trade turnover, cooperation in the energy sector, development of industrial cooperation, transportation and logistics interconnection, and development of scientific and educational ties. With reference to the above, Tokayev stated: “Wide investment prospects are opened by the development of the Middle Corridor, including the modernization and digitalization of the Caspian Sea ports and construction of cargo terminals. Further integration of Central Asian and European transportation and logistics systems remains urgent. Kazakhstan welcomes the decision of European partners to allocate 10 billion euros under the Global Gateway program for the development of the Middle Corridor. We count on Germany's assistance connecting this route with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Global Gateway strategy." Citing the need for sustained focus on strengthening and ensuring international security and stability, Tokayev then emphasized: “Our countries closely cooperate in a multilateral format, including within the framework of the United Nations. We intend to continue to strongly support the efforts of this non-alternative universal Organization in the fight against terrorism, extremism, illegal migration, climate change, peacekeeping, and disarmament. Kazakhstan is ready to participate in the UN reform process. We believe that several developed countries, including Germany, certainly deserve a place as permanent members of the UN Security Council. I want to take this opportunity to wish the Kyrgyz Republic success in promoting its candidacy for the post of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028. I am confident that Kyrgyzstan will be able to significantly contribute to strengthening stability and security in Central Asia and beyond." Following speeches by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a Joint Declaration was adopted by the Heads of the Central Asian states and the Federal Chancellor of Germany.

International Relations Economic cooperation EU Bilateral Relations Germany

Mirziyoyev and Scholz Agree to Grow Uzbekistan-Germany Cooperation

On September 15, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Samarkand. Last year the volume of trade between Uzbekistan and Germany exceeded 1 billion euros for the first time. Since the beginning of 2024, German companies have invested over 800 million euros into the Uzbek economy, while in June, the eighth meeting of the Uzbek-German Business Council was successfully held in Tashkent. At the end of the negotiations, Mirziyoyev and Scholz signed eight bilateral documents, including agreements in the fields of migration, use of water resources, essential minerals, transport and climate change. Additionally, Mirziyoyev and Scholz participated in the opening ceremony of the new Academy of Public Administration, which the Uzbek government has recently built in cooperation with the Hans Seidel Foundation and the Bavarian School of Public Administration. Scholz will also participate in a C5+1 meeting in Kazakhstan on September 17 with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.

China Germany Air transport Bilateral Cooperation Airports International transport air cargo

Kazakh-German Consortium to Build Cargo-Passenger Airport in Khorgos–Eastern Gate SEZ

On September 16, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and Kazakh-German consortium SKYHANSA signed a framework agreement on a project to construct a cargo-passenger airport in the special economic zone (SEZ) Khorgos-Eastern Gate on the border between Kazakhstan and China. The document was signed as part of the official visit of Germany’s Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Kazakhstan. The Khorgos–Eastern Gate SEZ is located in Kazakh territory, one kilometer from the state border and China’s border city, Khorgos. The SEZ is strategically located on the route of the Western Europe – Western China highway. It is also a central hub on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) that connects China and Europe. The SEZ includes a dry port and a multimodal logistics zone. The first stage of construction of a China-Kazakhstan industrial park on the territory of the SEZ began in November 2023. The Kazakh-German project involves the construction of an airport with a passenger terminal capable of handling up to 500 passengers per hour, a cargo terminal capable of handling up to 250,000 tons per year, a fuel storage facility capable of holding 550,000 tons, a technical center for servicing aircraft, and tourism, shopping, and entertainment facilities. Private investments in the project are expected to exceed $500 million, and more than 300 permanent jobs will be created. The administration of Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu region, where the SEZ is located, has now allocated a land plot for the airport's construction, and the investor plans to begin construction works after concluding the Investment Agreement.

Russia International Relations International Cooperation War Bilateral Relations Germany Ukraine

Tokayev: Russia is “Militarily Invincible”

During a meeting in Astana with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to Tokayev, further escalation of the war will only lead to irreparable consequences for all mankind and, above all, for all countries directly involved in the war. Tokayev said: “The fact is that Russia is militarily invincible. Unfortunately, a good chance to achieve at least a truce was lost with the refusal to conclude the Istanbul Agreement. But the opportunity for peace still exists. We need to carefully consider all peace initiatives put forward by various states, come to a decision to stop hostilities, and then move on to discussing territorial issues. In our opinion, the peace plan of China and Brazil deserves support.” Tokayev reminded the public that Kazakhstan has the world's longest delimited land border with Russia. He further stated that “cooperation between our countries is developing within the framework of strategic partnership and alliance. In Kazakhstan, we have genuine sympathy for the Ukrainian people and their distinctive culture. There have never been any disagreements between our states. The embassy of our country continues to function in Kyiv.” While his comments about seeking peace before discussing territorial issues may seem like Tokayev is backing Russia, in 2022, he said that Kazakhstan would not recognize the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics (“DNR” and “LNR”). Speaking about the 'republics', he noted that the two basic principles of the UN Charter -- the right to self-determination for nations, and the territorial integrity of states -- have come into mutual contradiction. On this topic, Tokayev noted: "It is estimated that if the right of self-determination for a nation is realized on the globe, then instead of the current 193 states, more than 500-600 states will emerge on Earth. It will be chaos. For this reason, we do not recognize Taiwan, Kosovo, South Ossetia, or Abkhazia. We will apply this principle to all quasi-state territories, which, in our opinion, includes Luhansk and Donetsk.”

Civil Aviation Economic cooperation Germany Aviation Industry Russia

German Company to Assemble Airplanes in Almaty

The German company "Linding Group" is set to invest about $10 million in assembling airplanes in Almaty, pending necessary permits from the government. Based in the economic zone “PIT ‘Alatau", production will begin in 2026. During the first year, 20 airplanes will be assembled, rising to 50 units annually thereafter. Kazakhstan is already engaged in several joint projects with foreign enterprises in aircraft production. One such project involves the "Russian Helicopters" company. Within the framework of the agreement with Kazakhstan's aircraft repair plant No. 405, a large-unit assembly of Mi-8AMT and Mi-171E helicopters was launched in Almaty, predominantly serving the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the National Guard of Kazakhstan. A further example of international cooperation is the contract between the Ural Civil Aviation Plant and Kazakhstan Aviation Industry (KAI) to produce the Baikal multi-purpose airplane. When fully assembled by the end of this year, the airplanes will be delivered to markets in Europe and Africa. The realization of all of these projects will both strengthen Kazakhstan's aviation industry and increase its presence in international aviation markets.