Foreign Minister Baerbock wants to tie the former Soviet republics of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan more closely to the West. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, these countries should also be concerned. The EU now wants to show them perspectives. At the same time, however, Baerbock called conditions.
According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine poses the question for all "successor states of the Soviet Union as to whether their statehood could also be called into question at some point". Belonging to the so-called Russian world is "not an offer of friendship, but a hidden threat since February 24 at the latest," she said at the start of her trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Both countries were formerly Soviet republics. It is all the more important that Europe stands up for the self-determination of every country, for the principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE, for partnership among equals.
Baerbock announced that he wanted to find out in both countries what hopes and expectations people had of Europe in this situation. The countries of Central Asia "always had hopes of being a bridge between Russia, China and Europe". But now they see themselves caught between two chairs and fear "to become available assets".
With her trip in the 30th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, she wants to make it clear that Germany is not turning away, but remains connected to Central Asia. "We're making offers for the future that we don't need to hide from," said the Greens politician.
For example, Uzbekistan has enormous expansion opportunities for the hydrogen economy. She also pointed out that Kazakhstan accounts for 85 percent of German trade with the countries of Central Asia. "In order to take advantage of the opportunities, we must finally make progress in better connecting Central Asia with Europe, for example within the framework of the EU Global Gateway Initiative." Germany and Europe made "honest and fair offers that do not create new dependencies or rely on financial gags".
Finally, Baerbock recalled that for her, partnership on an equal footing means: "Economic development and human rights are two sides of the same coin". The best investment protection for companies are reliable rules. Sustainable prosperity and security can only be achieved "where people's rights are protected".
