President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz held high-level discussions on September 16, stressing the deepening bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Germany. According to Tokayev, bilateral trade turnover saw an increase last year, rising nearly 1.5 times to approximately $4bn. The positive trend continued this year, with mutual trade exceeding $2.3bn in the past seven months.
Tokayev highlighted the significance of Chancellor Scholz’s first official visit to Kazakhstan, expressing optimism that the meeting would elevate the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations.
"We have just discussed in a narrow format the prospects for further strengthening of bilateral relations. Particular attention was paid to deepening integration in the trade, economic and investment spheres. In addition, we discussed current international issues, in particular, exchanged views on the current geopolitical situation, global security and regional development, as well as climate change. We also considered the prospects for cooperation within international organizations," Tokayev said.
He noted that Germany is a major trading partner and investor in Kazakhstan, with direct investments reaching approximately $6.7bn since 2005. Notably, 90% of these investments are in the non-resource sector, with over a thousand companies with German capital operating in Kazakhstan.
Chancellor Scholz acknowledged the warm hospitality extended by Kazakhstan and commended the dynamic development of bilateral relations.
"We strive to do everything to improve the conditions for our economic relations, to make direct investments in your country, to expand the possibilities of mutual trade. And, of course, we want to develop economic cooperation in all other areas. We are very pleased that our cooperation in the energy sector is steadily advancing. We have established trusting, consistent cooperation, this is a good example for the whole world. It is gratifying that we also discussed the important international challenges that we face," Scholz stated.
The discussions resulted in the adoption of a Joint Declaration on Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany. Additionally, several key agreements were signed:
- Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation between the Deutsche Bundesbank and the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Memorandum of Intent to establish the Kazakh-German Institute of Science and Technology at East Kazakhstan Technical University named after Serikbayev, signed by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
- Memorandum of Intent to establish a Kazakh-German School, signed by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education, Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, Kazakhstan Association of Germans “Renaissance” Public Foundation, and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
These agreements reflect a shared commitment to enhancing trade, cultural, and humanitarian ties, as well as advancing cooperative projects in energy, green transformation, mining, transport, and agriculture.
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