Germany and Kyrgyzstan want to deepen relations
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is received in Bishkek by his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Schaparov (l). photo
© Jens Büttner/dpa
Not much is going on economically between Germany and Kyrgyzstan. That should change. Federal President Steinmeier draws attention to an important point. And then there are the Russia sanctions.
Germany and Kyrgyzstan want to deepen their relations and, in particular, want to work more closely together economically. This was announced by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his counterpart Sadyr Schaparov after talks in the capital, Bishkek.
“Especially in these tense times in which we live, Germany wants more and closer partnerships with the countries of Central Asia,” said Steinmeier. Shaparov said there was “a very large unrealized potential for bilateral cooperation” between the two countries.
Schaparov expressed hope for more German investment and technology transfer to his country. Economic relations “without a doubt have great potential,” said Steinmeier. However, he pointed out that companies are looking for good framework conditions. “This also includes democratic standards and the rule of law.” He will pass on Schaparow’s statement in Germany that fighting corruption and the necessary structure of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies are among his priorities.
Trade between Germany and Kyrgyzstan has so far been at a low level. According to the company Germany Trade & Invest, Germany imported goods worth around 20 million euros in 2021 and exported goods for almost 49 million euros. The investment activity of German companies is low. But Kyrgyzstan is interesting for Germany because of its raw materials. There are large deposits of rare earths and gold. Kyrgyzstan is governed authoritarian. Human rights organizations criticize deficits in the freedom of the press, for example.
Federal President asks for influence on Afghanistan
Steinmeier appealed to the leadership of Kyrgyzstan to use their influence to work towards an improvement in the situation in Afghanistan. “The current situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban is unacceptable.” This applies in particular to the systematic oppression of women and girls and the humanitarian emergency of large parts of the population. “I asked them to use the contacts and influences that we have here in Kyrgyzstan after Afghanistan.”
Steinmeier showed understanding that Kyrgyzstan abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on the Ukraine war. Germany sees the special relationship with Russia, to which Kyrgyzstan has many historical, economic, security, cultural and human ties. “Against this background, we do not understand the voting behavior as a signal that Kyrgyzstan justifies the use of military threats.”
Steinmeier with expectations in terms of Russia sanctions
However, the Federal President warned of compliance with the sanctions imposed on Russia. It is true that it is more difficult for the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union to track the transport of goods and goods across the border. “Nevertheless, we expect that in close cooperation with the responsible persons in the European Union, possibilities will be found here and where sanctions are circumvented, they will be avoided in the future.”
The Eurasian Economic Union, dominated by Russia, is a union of states without customs borders based on the EU model.