Astana, Sep 16 (EFE).- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a joint declaration of cooperation on Monday and presided over the signing of some thirty bilateral memorandums between state bodies and companies of both countries.

The documents include agreements on cooperation between central banks, the opening of a Kazakh-German school, and a science and technology institute in eastern Kazakhstan.

The German multinational Siemens also pledged to transfer part of its production of electrical, measuring, and automation equipment to the largest Central Asian republic.

In this regard, Tokayev stressed that his country's policy is to exchange investments and technology transfer in exchange for the country's vast natural resources.

For this reason, he expressed his willingness to increase Kazakh oil supplies - 70% of which is pumped to Europe - in exchange for German oil equipment being produced in Kazakhstan, something he considered “a key priority.”

The Kazakh head of state stressed that his country has an important untapped potential in the renewable energy sector and highlighted that the German group Svevind is investing 50 billion dollars to produce green hydrogen to supply the European market.

Tokayev, who put trade with Berlin at $2.3 billion in the first seven months of the year, proposed to Scholz to join the transport network from China with the European network, with Kazakhstan as a link.

In addition, the two countries plan to sign agreements worth more than 6.3 billion dollars within the framework of the business forum currently taking place in Astana.

Scholz, who visited Uzbekistan on Sunday and Monday, is to chair the summit between Germany and the five Central Asian republics in Astana on Tuesday.

The leaders of the five Central Asian nations - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan - are to attend the regional summit.

The initiative is part of the Regional Strategic Agreement Germany and the five Asian countries signed at the six-party summit in Berlin a year ago.

The German leader intends to address with his colleagues the Ukrainian conflict and the sanctions adopted by the European Union against Russia, which is trying to circumvent them through the Central Asian countries. EFE

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Astana (Kazakhstan), 16/09/2024.- A handout picture made available by Kazakhstan President press service shows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attend the Business Forum 'Kazakhstan - Germany' in Astana, Kazakhstan, 16 September 2024. EFE/EPA/KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUTS HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALESHANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Astana (Kazakhstan), 16/09/2024.- A handout picture made available by Kazakhstan President press service shows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C-L) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (C-R) attend a signing ceremony during their meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, 16 September 2024. EFE/EPA/KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUTS HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Astana (Kazakhstan), 16/09/2024.- A handout picture made available by Kazakhstan President press service shows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attend the Business Forum 'Kazakhstan - Germany' in Astana, Kazakhstan, 16 September 2024. EFE/EPA/KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUTS HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALESHANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Astana (Kazakhstan), 16/09/2024.- A handout picture made available by Kazakhstan President press service shows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (C) examine an exhibition during the Business Forum 'Kazakhstan - Germany' in Astana, Kazakhstan, 16 September 2024. EFE/EPA/KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUTS HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALESHANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES