Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently signed a migration agreement with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at facilitating the entry of skilled workers, particularly in the healthcare sector, from Uzbekistan to Germany. The deal, signed in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand, also includes provisions to streamline the repatriation process for Uzbeks living in Germany without legal residence permits.
Around 13,700 Uzbek nationals currently reside in Germany, with approximately 200 eligible for repatriation. Scholz emphasized the importance of enabling talented individuals to enter Germany while committing to efficient processes for those who may need to return to Uzbekistan.
In addition to the migration agreement, Scholz and Mirziyoyev also signed agreements on topics such as sustainable water resource management and critical minerals partnerships during the Chancellor’s trip to Central Asia. Scholz will continue his visit in Kazakhstan, focusing on issues related to oil and gas supplies to Germany, as well as sanctions on Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
However, the trip has drawn criticism from Human Rights Watch, emphasizing the need for the German government to address human rights concerns in Central Asia. The organization highlighted ongoing human rights abuses in the region, including restrictions on freedom of expression, torture in detention, crackdowns on civil society, and lack of free and fair elections. HRW urged Scholz to use the upcoming summit with the heads of all five former Soviet republics to address these issues and advocate for human rights improvements in the region.
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