Today, Germany has a special place among the countries that are developing fruitful relations with Uzbekistan in the spirit of equality and mutually beneficial partnership. It has been almost thirty years since the foundation of this cooperation was laid. During this time, high-level political dialogue has been held between the two countries, a solid legal framework has been created, and the scope of inter-parliamentary, trade and economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation has expanded.
We began our conversation with Manfred GRUND, a guest of our magazine and Chairman of “Germany – Central Asia„ Group in the German Bundestag, with a question about the importance and scope of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
– Mr. Grund, first of all, thank you for taking your time and agreeing to give an interview for our magazine. In the beginning of our dialogue let’s go back to March 6, 1992, the date of establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Germany. Over the past years Germany has become one of the most reliable partners for our country. It didn’t happen by itself, did it? How do you think the relations between the two countries have progressed in almost thirty years? Can you elaborate on the legal, institutional mechanism of cooperation in various fields?
– Germany and Uzbekistan have maintained bilateral relations since 1992. Uzbekistan is one of the partner countries with which Germany is closely engaged in various cooperation based on intergovernmental agreements. The superordinate framework is provided by the EU strategy ‘The EU and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership’ of 2019, to which Germany was a key contributor.
Uzbekistan is an important trading partner of Germany in Central Asia.
Trade between the two countries reached a total of over 900 million euros in 2019. Besides, there are many German companies operating succesfully in Uzbekistan. Major German investors in Uzbekistan include MAN, Knauf, Gühring and Claas.
Also the cooperation between both countries in various fields like education, culture, environment protection or development cooperation were significantly expanded in 2019 and 2020. I’m sure, they will increase further in 2021.
– We know that the group “ Germany – Central Asia” has been operating in the German parliament since 1994. You chair this group. Can you please tell us about the activities of the group, its goals and objectives? This is very interesting for the general public of our country…
– The German Bundestag’s political relations with the national parliaments of foreign states are cultivated by – at present – 47 bilateral and multilateral parliamentary friendship groups, including the German-Central Asian Parliamentary Group, where Uzbekistan is a member along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Mongolia.
The purpose of these groups is to promote the ongoing dialogue with the parliamentary institutions of one or more partner states. Primarily, this involves exchanges of information and opinions with members of other parliaments. In Uzbekistan we are in close cooperation with our colleagues from Oliy Majlis. In parallel to these discussions with our peers, the friendship groups also organise meetings with government and civilsociety representatives. All these engagements offer numerous opportunities for the participants to discuss differing world views and learn from each other.
Furthermore, the promotion of democratic parliamentary structures, the strengthening of human rights, contributions to the management of crises and the parliamentary scrutiny of the Federal Government’s foreign policy are all prominent in the parliamentarian friendship groups’ work.
– Lately the inter-parliamentary relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federal Republic of Germany have significantly intensified. As a participant of this process, what important facts can you mention about the results of inter-parliamentary exchange of experience, cooperation in law-making practice?
– Indeed, as I mentioned before, we are working very closely with the Parliament members of the Republic Uzbekistan. In 2019 we had a chance to visit our colleagues in Tashkent, and had various topics for discussion. But also we are in close cooperation with the Ambassador and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Berlin. I hope, we can continue our political and parliamentarian dialogue with our partners in Uzbekistan this year too, after fighting the COVID-19 pandemic successfully.
– You have visited our country many times. This means that you are well aware of the changes taking place in Uzbekistan, not only in political, but also in all other areas. Today we would like to know your opinion about the role of Uzbekistan in the world and in the region, which is striving for the Third Renaissance, and the results it is achieving.
– Yes, it’s true that I had the chance to visit Uzbekistan several times. I have had the opportunity to see, first-hand, how your country has developed so much since its independence, but especially last 4-5 years.
Uzbekistan plays a pivotal role in regional affairs, and it is able to do so because of its geography – and its geographic position. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country has had only one ruler: Islam Karimov.
Since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev succeeded Islam Karimov in December 2016 Uzbekistan has presented the image of a state under renewal. Shortly thereafter, Mirziyoyev announced reforms meant to open the country up to the outside world economically, and cultivated ties with potential patrons, including Russia, Europe, China. More importantly, the President began to improve relations with other Central Asian states. Cross-border disputes related to access and usage of energy and water resources are gradually being solved. Today, Central Asia is changing, becoming more united, open, and trusted.
I have no doubt, that the liberalization and the opening of the country will only spark more interest from the international community and the people of Uzbekistan can only benefit from it.
– Also, in what areas and what type of changes, in your opinion, are needed in the new Uzbekistan?
– Despite obvious advancement in reforms in various spheres, in my opinion, one direction of reforms remains slow: it is the sphere of political reforms. Hopefully, political reforms will also be spurred in the near term and lead to a stronger legal system and a democratic society with a functioning multi-party system.
Nevertheless, there are good reasons for Germany and Europe to support the reform policy of Tashkent. Priority should be placed on the areas most relevant for fostering an open society: promoting political competition as I mentioned above, encouraging open debate, fostering independent public engagement and enabling genuine participation.
– As you know, in October this year, there will be an important political event Uzbekistan – the presidential elections. As far as we know, you participated in the parliamentary and presidential elections in our country as an international observer. Can you tell us what you personally think about the electoral institution of Uzbekistan?
– Yes, this year Uzbekistan will conduct presidential elections, which will be a new test for political system of the country. Tashkent should speed up political reforms and work toward consolidation of more open and pluralist political system.
On the other hand, Uzbekistan should liberalise its electoral and media laws, in a move that could make its controlled political system more open and reduce Western criticism of its record on democracy and human rights.
– At the end of our conversation, what do you think if we deviate from the topic?! As a long-term friend and guest of Uzbekistan, can you list some of the things you like about our country? Also, what qualities or customs and traditions of our people have attracted your attention?
– There is plenty of interesting things to see in Uzbekistan and learn from the people of Uzbekistan. It is a marvelous country in terms of nature, culture, cuisine, and therefore it is a wonderful tourist destination.
I strongly recommend everyone in Germany to visit Uzbekistan and come closer to its culture and people. I truly love the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, these histrorical cities lie on the ancient Silk Route, amassing great wealth and power.
– Thank you for the sincere and open conversation!
– Thank you for your questions.
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