Germany vows to deepen strategic ties with Central Asian nations

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA)—Germany aims to significantly expand economic and energy ties with Central Asian nations, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Berlin after meeting with his Central Asian counterparts, Wadephul emphasized that Europe must develop new partnerships in response to shifting geopolitical realities.

“We want to further expand economic cooperation with Central Asia for mutual benefit,” he told reporters. “ We Europeans want and need to diversify our economic relationships. This applies in particular to the procurement of critical raw materials and rare earth elements,” he said.

The minister highlighted that Germany's strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan dates back more than 20 years, and Berlin is committed to deepening these relationships and bringing Europe and Central Asia closer together.

“Central Asia lies at a geopolitical crossroads and must contend with existing and growing Chinese interests and the threat posed by Russia,” the minister said, arguing that Moscow's ambitions threaten international security and pose a danger to its neighbors. “As Europeans, we are committed to defending the rules-based international order worldwide. We share this goal with the Central Asian states,” he stressed.

Wadephul said the ministers also discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and EU sanctions against Russia. He asked his Central Asian counterparts to help prevent sanctions evasion and work closely with the EU on this matter. Any attempts to circumvent the measures, he said, would support Russia's war effort and directly threaten European security interests.