Scholz and Faeser seal a migration accord with Uzbekistan, covering collaborative efforts in immigration matters.
During their trip to Uzbekistan, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both from the SPD) sealed a migration deal with the Central Asian nation. According to an official spokesperson to AFP news agency, the signing event took place in a ceremony in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, in the presence of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The purpose of the agreement is to expand avenues for legitimate immigration for skilled Uzbek workers, while Uzbekistan will return its citizens without legal residency permits, currently residing in Germany. The agreement had been in the works for several months.
Faeser commented to the "Rheinische Post" post-signing, "We're establishing more clarity in migration policy. We're bringing the qualified and skilled labor force we desperately need in industries, trades, care, and numerous other sectors into our country." Concurrently, it's a fact that: "Those without a future and no right to stay in Germany must leave our country much sooner."
Scholz commenced his three-day Central Asia trip in Samarkand, accompanied by an economic delegation. Faeser also journeyed to finalize the migration agreement.
On Monday, Scholz is scheduled to engage with Uzbek civil society representatives and participate in the German-Uzbek economic forum. Later in the day, travel to Kazakhstan is planned, where the German Chancellor will initially sign several agreements and meet with the leaders of the so-called Z5 group of Central Asian nations, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, on Tuesday.
This migration deal between Germany and Uzbekistan also includes provisions for the safe and orderly return of Uzbek citizens without legal residency permits in Germany, who fall under the category of 'Other'. Faeser further highlighted the importance of bringing skilled labor from Uzbekistan, emphasizing that it's not just about 'Other' migrants, but also about addressing Germany's needs in various sectors.
