Leaflet via Press Service of the President of Kazakhstan/REUTERS Olaf Scholz and Kazakh President Kassym-Schomart Tokayev at the ‘Germany-Central Asia Summit’ (Astana, 17 September 2024)
There is little new under the fading sun. At least as far as German foreign policy is concerned. Expanding relations with the five Central Asian countries to gain access to their raw materials while at the same time reducing the influence of Russia and China. The federal government was already working on this plan in 2007. The EU Central Asia Strategy. The 2012 agreement with Kazakhstan was part of the so-called raw materials partnership. In 2018, the EU followed up with a “connectivity strategy” to strengthen the connection between Central Asia and Europe by expanding transport infrastructure, again led by Germany. The result of all the hard work? A lot of hot air. As long as thinkers write self-absorbed poetry, not much happens. The best evidence that the ambitious plan has failed is that Berlin has tried again. The second meeting of the Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday, attended by the prime minister.
Will this be more than the usual lofty declarations of intent and empty speeches? The pressure is now greatly increased. Berliners also know that if the West continues to abuse China with punitive tariffs, sanctions, and other aggressive actions, there is little confidence that the People’s Republic will continue to provide them with vital raw materials in the future. Alternative sources are therefore needed. At the same time, the Central Asian countries are making it clear that they want a more intensive economic relationship with Germany. This is not a turn away from Russia, of course, but a supplement to avoiding excessive dependence on Russia and China.
What is new is that the Federal Government has started to cooperate with the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan on the issue of immigration. The simple plan is to bring in highly trained Uzbeks for cheap labor, while at the same time deporting refugees who need to be trained at great expense to Uzbekistan. The influx of ready-made human capital and the outflow of economically unusable foreigners is Germany’s new human rights, forgiveness: immigration policy. The Afghans, by the way, are to be deported to Uzbekistan, which will process them in their completely destroyed country of origin. This prevents Berlin from getting its hands dirty by contacting the Taliban. As we know, the Federal Government is a human rights defender.
