André Algermißen: “We are building bridges between Germany and Central Asia”
Relations between Germany and the countries of Central Asia today are based on trust and mutual respect, with Berlin serving not only as an economic partner but also as a key political partner in the region.
André Algermißen, Head of the Central Asia Regional Programme of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, made this statement at the Experts Forum in Khiva. He is convinced that the Foundation’s systematic work in the region, which began in 1994, has created a solid foundation for close, trusting cooperation with local partners.
Today, this interaction is receiving a powerful new impetus. The regular visits of the heads of state and the recent diplomatic trips by Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Gunther Krichbaum, confirm that Germany sees Central Asia as a long-term priority partner. According to Algermißen, the task of expert platforms is to give the current political dialogue concrete content: from introducing innovations and implementing the principles of the rule of law to large-scale cultural and educational exchanges.
The expert called regional cohesion the most important condition for success. In this context, the Foundation sees its mission as creating reliable communication channels between regions. “We want to build bridges between Central Asia and Germany”, noted the Head of the Central Asia Regional Programme of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. According to him, combining the German experience and the intellectual potential of Central Asian specialists enables an effective response to current challenges and strengthens regional integration, which Europe is interested in.
Concluding his speech, André Algermißen emphasized the special importance of the forum venue. The choice of historical Khiva to discuss future strategies has become a symbol of continuity and deep cultural mutual interest between the parties. “It is a great privilege to host our forum in such an important city”, he concluded.
UzA
