During his two-day visit to Tashkent, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told Euronews the changes he has witnessed in Uzbekistan over the past two decades have created new opportunities for deeper cooperation between Germany and the EU and Central Asia.
Steinmeier said relations between Europe and Central Asia have become significantly closer since he first advocated a stronger German focus on the region as foreign minister in 2006.
“I am very grateful that during my career, during the last 20 years I was able to contribute to closer relations between our two countries, Uzbekistan and Germany, and to the relations between the European Union and Central Asia,” he told Euronews.
“It wasn't that easy in the beginning, but now, in the meanwhile, this visit and exchange with your political leader proves that it has become closer. I think all the foundations, all the basis to closer cooperation, being in economic, business, or in cultural exchange, are great now.”
His visit to the Uzbek capital is part of a broader Asia tour that also included Indonesia and the Philippines.
