In light of global crises and changed trade and energy flows, the five Central Asian countries are growing steadily in importance for German foreign policy. Germany was one of the first countries to recognise their independence. The collapse of the Iron Curtain and the acquisition of statehood by these countries in 1991 create a close bond between us, a tie cemented by German reunification in autumn 1990 and by our shared history.

Germany’s engagement in the region

Germany has a close and wide-ranging economic partnership with Kazakhstan, which is our biggest trading partner in Central Asia and an important supplier of energy and raw materials. Among the things the two countries have in common are challenges in terms of economic resilience and issues relating to the expansion of green hydrogen. During Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Astana in September 2024, several strategic agreements were signed, for instance on deepening cooperation on oil, lithium and rare earths, as well as on cooperation in the financial and scientific/academic sector. Germany and Kazakhstan also work together closely at international level, including within the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. In order to promote academic and scientific connectivity, the Central Asia Sustainable Innovation Bureau (CASIB) in Almaty coordinates exchange in the academic and technical areas.

For Uzbekistan, the second-largest and fastest growing economy in the region, Germany is the most important trading partner in the EU. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Tashkent in June 2026, which followed the visit by the Federal Chancellor in autumn 2024, injected vital impetus. One major element of relations between the two countries is the bilateral agreement on migration and mobility, which regulates and simplifies access to the German labour market for skilled Uzbek workers. As part of an innovation partnership, agreements have been signed on sustainable agricultural research and on the expansion of German direct investment in the automotive and IT sectors. Uzbekistan is the only one of the five Central Asian countries that is still a partner country in German development cooperation. Some 400,000 people in Uzbekistan are learning German. No less than 19 Uzbek schools are part of Germany’s global network Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH).

In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has seen dynamic economic development that is getting increasing interest from Germany. As there is still a German minority in the country (about 8000 people), relations with Germany have a special quality. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has an office in Bishkek which is responsible for the region. Political dialogue was intensified in the wake of the Z5+1 summit in Astana in September 2024, during which Federal Chancellor Scholz met the Kyrgyz head of state. This exchange is also nurtured by representatives of the two countries’ parliaments.

Tajikistan is an important partner in tackling geopolitical security risks in the region. Thanks to its huge natural water reserves, the country has great potential for the use of hydropower and is important for water supplies to the entire region. For this reason, the sustainable management of sensitive water resources and protection against natural disasters, which are being exacerbated by the effects of climate change, are key elements of cooperation with Germany.

Turkmenistan has pledged permanent neutrality. Our dialogue and cooperation with the country therefore focuses primarily on economic niches, climate dialogue and research-policy cooperation within the framework of pan-European initiatives.

The Z5+1 regional partnership

Germany has long been particularly committed to cooperation with the region as part of the EU’s Central Asian initiative. In 2023, it upgraded its own relations with the five Central Asian states to the level of a Strategic Regional Partnership (Z5+1).

Z5+1 summits took place in Berlin in 2023 and Astana in 2024. Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul welcomed his Central Asian counterparts to Berlin for a Z5+1 Foreign Ministers Meeting in February 2026. Senior Official Meetings support this process, and the German Eastern Business Association is a partner for business events in this framework.