By Kevin Akor
BERLIN (chatnewstv.com) — Germany and five Central Asian nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political, economic and security cooperation on Tuesday, endorsing expanded collaboration on regional connectivity, energy transition and support for Ukraine in a joint declaration issued after talks in Berlin.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul hosted his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister, for the “Central Asia and Germany” ministerial meeting.
In the Berlin Declaration released after the talks, the ministers underlined the “positive development of relations between Germany and the Central Asian states over the past three decades” and reiterated the importance of the Strategic Regional Partnership established in 2023 as the framework for cooperation.
They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties “based on shared values and mutual interests” and pledged to continue high-level dialogue, including within the European Union and multilateral formats.
The ministers welcomed the results of the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State in Tashkent in November 2025 and expressed support for efforts to enhance regional cooperation aimed at ensuring “prosperity, peace, sustainable development and good neighbourly relations in Central Asia.”
They also highlighted the growing engagement between Central Asia and the European Union, pointing to the EU–Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand in April 2025 and the continued relevance of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, focused on resilience, prosperity and regional cooperation.
On security, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to international law, including the U.N. Charter and “the fundamental principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, the non-use of force or threat of its use, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.”
They emphasized “the importance of achieving, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
The declaration also stressed closer coordination with the EU and its member states on sanctions regimes and the need to prevent sanctions circumvention.
Regional connectivity featured prominently in the talks. The ministers described the Trans-Caspian Corridor as a “sustainable and efficient multimodal transport link between Central Asia and Europe” and agreed to promote cooperation on its development, including support for German railway and logistics companies. Germany has contributed 2.7 million euros ($2.9 million) to the Trans-Caspian Transportation Corridor Coordination Platform.
They said sustainable infrastructure projects along the corridor would be pursued under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.
The ministers welcomed cooperation in multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Germany has provided more than 13 million euros since 2022 for OSCE projects in border management and preventing violent extremism and contributed an additional 3 million euros in 2025 to a fund addressing the implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE region.
On Afghanistan, the ministers reaffirmed their intention to continue engagement with the country while upholding international obligations, especially in the field of human rights, “especially those of women and girls.” They underscored the need for an inclusive and representative government and respect for fundamental freedoms.
Economic cooperation was another focal point. The ministers noted “the dynamic economic development in Central Asia” and stressed reforms to improve the business climate, with emphasis on rule of law, property rights and an independent judiciary.
They agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment, supported by government instruments such as export credits and investment guarantees, and welcomed meetings with German business representatives held alongside the ministerial session.
Energy transition and climate cooperation were also central themes. The ministers pointed to the region’s “high potential for renewable energies and hydrogen production” and underlined cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency and green hydrogen. Germany’s Green Central Asia Initiative, with a portfolio of 250 million euros, was highlighted as a key instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
They also noted ongoing preparations for a Regional Environment and Climate Partnership and various regional development programs, including integrated water management, climate-sensitive land use and renewable energy.
The declaration emphasized people-to-people contacts, including academic exchanges, cultural cooperation and language learning. More than 500,000 people in the region are learning German, supported by programs such as the Goethe-Institute and over 50 PASCH partner schools.
On migration, the ministers expressed interest in exploring “mutually beneficial cooperation,” including combating illegal migration and enhancing return cooperation, while emphasizing the importance of visa facilitation to strengthen business and societal ties.
The Central Asian ministers thanked Wadephul for the hospitality extended in Berlin and reaffirmed their readiness to deepen dialogue within the C5+1 framework, signaling continued engagement between Germany and the strategically important Central Asian region.
