Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The strategic regional partnership between Central Asia and Germany addresses common interests in ensuring stability, sustainable development, and prosperity for the region. This was stated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan in his speech at the second "Central Asia – Germany" summit, taking place in Astana.

The President emphasized that Uzbekistan is interested in holding regular meetings in the "Central Asia – Germany" format, as well as creating mechanisms for expert development and implementation of proposed initiatives.

"We highly value Germany’s unwavering support in implementing democratic reforms and socio-economic transformations in our countries, as well as in partnership and integration in Central Asia," noted Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"Today, Germany is considered one of the key partners in achieving national sustainable development goals," he added.

Mirziyoyev also highlighted the significant changes that have occurred in Central Asia over recent years. According to him, the countries in the region are establishing open and productive dialogue, addressing many issues independently, including borders, water resources, energy, trade, and transit. The President pointed out that recently in Astana, the sixth meeting of the heads of state in the region was held.

He added that the region is enhancing its international presence and expanding interactions with major global powers in the "Central Asia plus" format.

Indicators of internal trade, investment, cargo transportation, and tourist trips of the region’s citizens have significantly increased, the President reported.

"We are discussing major regional projects in green energy and transportation development, sharing experiences and technologies, creating modern enterprises in industry and agriculture, and implementing financial tools to stimulate collaborative projects," emphasized the President of Uzbekistan.

"Above all, we recognize that the future of our region, its security, and sustainable development depend solely on our political will and efforts," he added.

"We sincerely welcome the interest of our European partners, especially Germany, as a key initiator of strategies and multilateral EU programs for cooperation with our countries," the President noted.

Mirziyoyev reminded that next year Uzbekistan will host another summit in the "Central Asia – European Union" format, with the main theme being investments in the region’s future.

"Conflicts, wars, global instability, sanctions, and protectionism have a profoundly negative impact on our countries and pose serious challenges to implementing national reforms," said the head of state.

President Mirziyoyev presented his vision for the main areas of cooperation with Germany in Central Asia.

"First. We highly value the establishment of a strategic regional partnership between Central Asia and Germany, which aligns with our common interests in ensuring stability, sustainable development, and prosperity for the region," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President proposed developing a long-term Concept for the development of the partnership between Central Asia and Germany with programmatic activities in priority areas. He suggested establishing a Central Asia – Germany Analytical Centers Forum, with the first meeting possibly held next year in Khiva, a historic city with a large Mennonite German community.

"An important role in preparing the agenda for our summits should also be given to annual meetings of the foreign ministries of our countries," he added.

"Second. Investment and technological partnership with leading German companies. We see that the portfolio of implemented and prospective projects in Uzbekistan with German companies exceeds 20 billion euros. These projects cover areas such as energy, chemical and mining industries, machine engineering, textile and food industries, agriculture, transport and logistics, and building materials production," noted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

According to him, Uzbekistan’s partners include leading German companies such as Siemens, Linde, BASF, MAN, Claas, Henkel, Knauf, and others, which have invested about 6 billion euros in Uzbekistan’s economy in recent years.

"Today we have the opportunity to discuss future plans with representatives of German business. To develop business partnerships, I propose developing a ‘roadmap’ for expanding investment and technological cooperation between Central Asia and Germany; involving leading German companies and banks in implementing projects in newly created special economic and industrial zones in border areas, as well as large regional infrastructure projects; and launching a permanent business dialogue platform — the Central Asia and Germany Investors and Entrepreneurs Council," said Mirziyoyev.

The President suggested holding the first meeting of the Council next year in Uzbekistan as part of the Tashkent Investment Forum and exploring the possibility of adopting a multilateral intergovernmental agreement on stimulating and protecting investments.

"Third. Partnership in critical raw materials based on the introduction of advanced German knowledge and technologies. Our region is rich in minerals," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

He noted that the German Mineral Resources Agency and German companies could become key partners for Central Asian countries in this field.

"This involves geological exploration projects, intensive development, processing and production of high-value-added products, as well as organizing supplies to Germany and other EU countries. Uzbekistan is ready for joint implementation of such projects in neighboring countries," added the head of state.

In his opinion, a promising area is attracting German technical assistance to develop a Program for creating digital maps of identified critical mineral and rare earth metal deposits in the region.

"We also consider it important to create a reliable legal framework for such cooperation," said the President of Uzbekistan.

"Fourth. Green energy. In recent years, our countries have actively developed solar, wind, and hydro energy, modernized thermal stations and networks, and promoted green hydrogen projects," noted Mirziyoyev.

He proposed considering the possibility of launching an Energy Dialogue between Central Asia and Germany, involving ministries of energy, corporations, operators, scientific organizations, project institutes, and industry experts.

"We are interested in developing a Comprehensive Program to enhance the potential of specialists in the low-carbon economy with the technical assistance of Germany," he stated.

"Fifth. Joint response to climate change. Central Asia is expected to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming, with average temperature increases expected to exceed global averages by twice," noted the President of Uzbekistan.

"We are grateful to Germany for launching the second phase of the ‘Green Central Asia’ program and for supporting the implementation of environmental projects. We are interested in conducting joint educational programs and scientific exchanges at the Central Asian University for Environmental Studies and Climate Change, as well as adopting cooperation programs for implementing German water-saving technologies, modernizing irrigation systems, preserving biodiversity, and training environmental specialists," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President of Uzbekistan supported the German Chancellor’s initiative to create a Central Asian Natural Partnership and expressed readiness to actively participate in its implementation.

"Sixth. The greatest obstacle to deepening our partnership is the insufficient development of transport communications, including ground and air transport. We rely on Germany’s assistance in attracting European institutions to develop alternative transport corridors connecting Central Asia with Europe. We propose holding a joint ministerial conference next year to explore ways to enhance the transit potential of such routes," said the President of Uzbekistan.

The President also emphasized the importance of developing cultural ties between Central Asia and Germany.

"The exhibition of our region’s cultural and historical heritage at the New Museum in Berlin last year highlighted the need for regular events of this kind. During its several months of operation, it was visited by more than half a million residents and guests of the German capital," said the President.

The President of Uzbekistan called for the development of a joint Cultural Events Plan between Central Asia and Germany. He proposed discussing the organization of Central Asia Art and Film Days in major German cities and strengthening cooperation between museum collections.

In the field of scientific and educational exchange, according to the President, it is necessary to create a platform for partnership among leading universities. Programs should also be developed to expand cooperation in dual education and training of German language teachers with the support of the Goethe Institute and other German organizations.

The President emphasized the importance of continued close cooperation in combating terrorism, extremism, and cybercrime, as well as preventing youth radicalization. He noted that security issues in Central Asia are closely linked to the situation in Afghanistan.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which is left to deal with its problems alone. In this regard, Uzbekistan is ready to collaborate with Germany and other European partners on projects aimed at involving Afghanistan in regional economic cooperation and training personnel, including women, at the Educational Center in the border city of Termez.

The President expressed interest in fully unlocking the potential of multifaceted cooperation between Germany and Central Asia. He is confident that the current meeting will contribute to strengthening ties between the countries and peoples, as well as filling the strategic partnership with specific projects and programs.