Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier payed a state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan from 19 to 21 June. The Federal President underscored the geopolitical importance of Central Asia with this trip. In the difficult neighbourhood of Russia and China, he was sending a message of partnership to the countries of Central Asia and emphasising Germany’s interest in diversifying its political, economic and energy policy relations. The Federal President was accompanied by a business delegation on his visit.
In the Kazakh capital Astana, he held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In the following joint press conference he said: Kazakhstan is a key partner for the Federal Republic in the Central Asian region, politically, culturally and economically. We agree that we want to forge our ties even closer in the coming years, also in view of the huge challenges we face.
Later that day, the Federal President took part in a forum of German and Kazakh heads of universities and other higher education institutions. He also met German and Kazakh entrepreneurs as well as representatives from civil society.
The Federal President’s second destination in Kazakhstan was the city of Aktau on the Caspian Sea, which is an important hub of the Middle Corridor connecting Asia and western Europe via the southern Caucasus. In Aktau, he layed the foundation stone for the new Kazakh-German Institute of sustainable Engineering at Yessenov University. Furthermore, he visited the Kuryk ferry port and held expert discussions on the strategic opportunities and challenges of the Middle Corridor. The Federal President also visited a project of the Svevind Energy Group for generating green hydrogen from wind and solar energy in the steppe of the Mangystau desert.
He then travelled onwards to the Kyrgyz Republic for an official visit.
Overview of the programme:
Monday, 19 June 2023
- Flight to Astana, Kazakhstan
Tuesday, 20 June 2023
- Monument to the Defenders of the Fatherland
Wreath-laying ceremony - Ak Orda Presidential Palace
Welcome with military honours by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev - Talks with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Joint press conference
- State banquet hosted by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Hotel Rixos President Astana
Attendance at the symposium of rectors of German and Kazakh universities on cooperation in the
field of higher education - The Ritz-Carlton hotel
Attendance at the Kazakhstan-Germany Business Forum Astana - National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Tour of the museum - Talks with representatives of civil society
Wednesday, 21 June 2023
- Flight to Aktau
- Aktau, Yessenov University
Laying of the foundation stone for the Kazakh-German Institute of Sustainable Engineering - Meeting with students from the University and with rectors of German and Kazakh universities
- Svevind Energy company
Talks with Svevind representatives on the Hyrasia One green hydrogen project and conduct of a test drilling - Kuryk Port
Tour of the port and presentation of regional and international transport routes - Talks with representatives of think thanks on regional security and economic policy
- Flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan