Germany and Uzbekistan have signed an initial migration agreement to make it easier to deport people, according to a press release published on Tuesday (May 2) by the German Foreign Office.

By the end of 2022, 253 people from Uzbekistan who were required to leave Germany were still living in the country – up from 189 a year ago, German news agency DPA reported.

German special representative for migration agreements Joachim Stamp and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed the declaration, which also sought to bolster relations between the two countries and enable students and workers to enter Germany.

Stamp said the agreement is part of the German government's long-term plan to establish a sustainable and mutual migration partnership with countries of origin, according to the German Interior Ministry. Stamp said such partnerships would result in less irregular migration.

Labor and vocational training agreements

Both countries said they would strive to ensure more Uzbek skilled workers can work in Germany, agreeing to "maintain contacts between the relevant competent authorities on a regular basis" to achieve this.

The German government is also considering the possibility of intensifying cooperation in the field of labor migration through joint projects on the training and employment of Uzbek nationals in Germany. Berlin said it intends to bring in skilled workers from Uzbekistan in the field of health and education, particularly care workers. 

In addition, Germany agreed to support scholarships for Uzbek students undertaking dual vocation programs. 

Stamp also visited Georgia and Moldova in recent weeks to discuss deportations. Germany received 7,963 asylum applications from Georgia in 2022, according to figures from DPA. At least 2,589 people from Moldova also applied for asylum for the first time last year. Acceptance rates for such applications are, however, very low, DPA reported. 

With DPA