Kazakh media reports say President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at Akorda during an official visit to Kazakhstan on September 16, marking Scholtz’s first visit in 14 years.
In his welcoming remarks, Kazakh leader reportedly expressed gratitude to Scholz for his visit, describing it as a historic moment.
President Tokayev emphasized the importance of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries and expressed Kazakhstan’s commitment to further deepening and strengthening mutual ties.
The two leaders discussed political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties. They also noted cooperation in critical sectors such as energy and the green transition, industry, mining, transport and logistics, climate change, ecology, agriculture and education.
During the meeting, President Tokayev, at the request of Scholz, reportedly commented on the resolution of the situation around Ukraine.
“It is a fact that, from a military standpoint, Russia is invincible. Further escalation of the war will lead to irreparable consequences for all of humanity, and, above all, for the countries directly involved in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Unfortunately, a good opportunity to reach at least a ceasefire was missed with the refusal to sign the Istanbul Agreement,” Tokayev said, according to The Astana Times.
Tokayev emphasized “the possibility for achieving peace still exists.”
“It is necessary to carefully consider all peace initiatives from various countries and reach a decision to stop the hostilities, and then proceed to discussing territorial issues. In our view, the peace plan proposed by China and Brazil deserves support,” Tokayev was cited as saying.
Germany is reportedly a key trade and investment partner for Kazakhstan. According to the Kazakh government, the bilateral trade has increased by 13% over the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2023, totaling US$2.3 billion. Last year, direct investments from Germany to Kazakhstan rose 64%, reaching US$770 million, with most funds directed toward developing the non-primary sector of the economy, a priority for Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, Reuters yesterday cited Chancellor Olaf Scholz as saying that Germany is interested in expanding trade with Kazakhstan while also ensuring such trade is not used to circumvent EU sanctions on Russia.
After Russia launched the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022, the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, prompting Moscow to seek circuitous routes for importing technology and goods.
Reuters noted that its sources said that Russian businesses seeking goods banned by the West sometimes procured them from companies based in neighboring Kazakhstan or other former Soviet nations. The Astana government has said it would abide by the sanctions.
Both German Chancellor Scholz and Kazakh President Tokayev said their countries were interested in increasing trade in oil, rare earths, lithium and other raw materials.
