Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after the latter vowed to abide by sanctions on Russia
Germany is happy with Kazakhstan’s professed dedication to Western sanctions in opposition to Russia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated. The Central Asian nation is a member of a number of Russian-led financial and safety pacts, and has been accused by some within the West of serving to Moscow circumvent the restrictions.
Following his assembly with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday, Chancellor Scholz stated that “it’s good and useful that the Kazakh authorities helps us in stopping sanction circumvention and has taken lively counter-measures.”
The comment got here after President Tokayev assured German officers that “Kazakhstan has unequivocally clarified that it’ll abide by the sanctions.”
Some specialists within the West have beforehand voiced considerations that Astana is merely paying lip service to Western financial restrictions and is secretly serving to Moscow purchase Western-made items, together with dual-use ones that would have a navy software.
The German chancellor described Kazakhstan as an “essential accomplice” that may assist Berlin diversify its crude oil imports and diminish its dependence on Russian power provides. Scholz additionally talked about different uncooked supplies that the Central Asian nation is wealthy in and are essential for Germany to transition to wash power.
Tokayev, in flip, confirmed his nation’s readiness to ramp up oil exports to Germany, which he referred to as a “strategic accomplice nation within the European Union,” and to safe long-term deliveries.
In the meantime, on Friday, Chancellor Scholz is ready to obtain the leaders of the opposite Central Asian states – Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
Final Tuesday, US President Joe Biden additionally met with the leaders of the 5 former Soviet republics on the sidelines of the United Nations Normal Meeting in New York Metropolis. In accordance with a readout of the talks, nearer commerce and safety cooperation have been excessive on the agenda, together with the event of the Trans-Caspian Commerce Route, also called the Center Hall, spearheaded by the G7 nations.
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