Photo caption: German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. Photo courtesy of the press service of the President of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan and Germany have signed an intergovernmental agreement on comprehensive partnership in migration and mobility during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to the Central Asian republic. The agreement was signed following negotiations between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chancellor Scholz.
The agreement aims to establish transparent and systematic cooperation in the migration sphere. Responsible agencies from both sides will develop a «roadmap» for preparing and sending in-demand specialists from Uzbekistan to Germany. According to Euronews, this primarily concerns healthcare workers.
The agreement will also expedite and simplify the repatriation of Uzbek citizens living in Germany without residence permits. German news agency dpa estimates that about 13,700 Uzbek citizens currently reside in Germany, with approximately 200 eligible for repatriation.
Chancellor Scholz commented on social media: «The migration and mobility agreement signed today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, allows talented people to enter our country. Additionally, we have committed to not bureaucratizing processes so that those who cannot stay in our country can return."
During the talks in Samarkand, Mirziyoyev and Scholz discussed expanding Uzbek-German relations. Bilateral trade turnover exceeded 1 billion euros last year, and German companies have invested 800 million euros in Uzbekistan's economy since the beginning of 2024. The parties are working on cooperation projects worth approximately 9 billion euros in sectors such as green energy, chemical industry, critical materials development, engineering, textile industry, and construction materials.
Eight bilateral documents were signed as a result of Scholz's visit, including declarations on cooperation in sustainable water resource use and critical minerals, as well as agreements on transportation cooperation and a technological partnership program for 2024-2026.
On the second day of the visit, Mirziyoyev and Scholz launched a joint Management Training School and met with representatives of leading companies and banks from both countries.
Following his visit to Uzbekistan, Chancellor Scholz will travel to Kazakhstan for talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and participate in the second «Central Asia + Germany» format meeting on September 17.
