Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Frank-Walter Steinmeier hold negotiations in extended format

After a tet-a-tet meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Frank-Walter Steinmeier continued talks in an extended format with the presence of members of official delegations. Welcoming the German delegation led by the German Federal President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s state visit opens up good opportunities for further strengthening of comprehensive cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany.

“We have been anticipating your visit, which is regarded as a very important one in terms of giving additional boost to the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany. Germany is considered here in Kazakhstan as a key partner in Europe. And we will be doing our utmost in order to enhance our cooperation in a variety of domains. Just now, we had a detailed very frank exchange of views on so many issues relating to our cooperation, our interaction in the international organizations as well as on the geopolitical situation”, the Head of State stressed.

Strengthening trade and economic cooperation was on the spotlight of the meeting. Germany is one of the most important trade, economic and investment partners of Kazakhstan in the European Union. More than 80% of German foreign trade with Central Asia comes from our country. Other priority areas are the energy, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, transport and logistics, renewable energy sources, critical raw materials and agriculture. President Tokayev invited German companies to invest in green energy. In this context, the two presidents commended the launch of the construction of the plant to produce green hydrogen, which is being implemented by the German-Swedish company Svevind Energy. The investments in this project amounts up to 50 billion dollars. The two Presidents discussed the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the mining industry and exploration. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that German entrepreneurs may rely on the full support of the Kazakh Government. He also noted the importance of the Kazakh-German business forum, which today will be attended by the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Germany. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed confidence that the event will give additional impetus to expansion of economic ties between the two countries. The Kazakh President welcomed Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Aktau, where he plans to get acquainted with the enormous economic potential of the Mangistau region.

“I also appreciate your decision to go to the Mangystau region. I think that it will be become a showcase of our achievements in business cooperation. And as I understand, you’re going also to visit the seaport”, the President noted.

During the meeting, the parties focused on increasing cooperation within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. President Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing role as an important regional hub, accounting for 80% of overland traffic on the China-Europe route. The President underscored the strategic importance of this transport corridor, connecting the markets of the east and west. Last year this route transported about 1.7 million tons of cargo. The heads of state also touched upon the prospects for cooperation in agriculture and renewable sources of energy, interaction within the special economic zones and financial institutions. In turn, Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed gratitude to President Tokayev for the invitation to visit Astana and the warm hospitality on Kazakh land. He noted productive talks in a tet-a-tet format and the importance of implementing joint projects.

“I can confirm what you were saying about the status of our bilateral relations. We are not only looking back to the past 30 years of diplomatic relations, we are looking to the presence of our especially but not only economic growing relations, you are mentioning that many German companies are heavily invested in the meanwhile, here in Kazakhstan, and, you know, beyond economic relations. Kazakhstan is a key partner for the Federal Republic in the Central Asian region, politically, culturally and economically. We really following with Mr. President, huge respect your cause of reforms here in Kazakhstan. This is well known in Germany that not only the fight and of the fight against corruption is conducted by you, personally, and your government. But also, you know, the abolition of the death penalty, the establishment of the Constitutional Court, the strengthening of the Parliament, I think that is, in the meanwhile, well known in the world, and is proof that you are following your course, which you were explaining to the world and to your Kazakh population,” the Federal President said.

In conclusion, the Kazakh leader extended his warm greetings and best wishes to Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany. Following the talks, a number of documents were signed in the presence of the heads of state.