On migration and mobility

02.05.2023

Joint declaration of intent

between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany

[Registered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the state register under number 4532-FR-2023-H dated November 14, 2023]

The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, hereinafter referred to as “Sides”, intent to explore possibilities for cooperation in the field of migration.

Both Sides wish to underline the importance of developing cooperation to create favourable conditions for citizens of both States for education and employment in the territories of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. They intend to join forces in developing mutually beneficial cooperation through the exchange of best national practices.

They take into account a stateʼs obligation under international law to accept the readmission of their own nationals who are irregularly residing in the territory of another state.

Both Sides want to jointly take appropriate steps to prevent and tackle irregular migration, including the readmission and return of persons irregularly residing in the territory of the other Side, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings, in the spirit of cooperation and in accordance with national and international law.

The Sides have thus come to the following understanding:

Section 1Purpose and Areas of Cooperation

Both Sides intend to explore possibilities for cooperation in the following areas:

1. Conditions for citizens of the States of the Sides for studying, participating in educational programmes, attending joint student exchange projects;

2. Promotion of migration for vocational reasons and for the purpose of employment within the framework of the applicable rules of both national laws and European Union law;

3. Establishing cooperation on jointly preventing and countering irregular migration, including on returns of persons required to leave the country, smuggling of migrants, trafficking in human beings as well as document and visa fraud.

Section 2Competent Authorities

The competent authorities of the Sides authorised to engage in regard of this declaration will be the following:

For the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction;

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation;

The Ministry of Internal Affairs;

The Agency for External Labour Migration under the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction.

For the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany:

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Section 3Directions of Cooperation

In order to realize the objectives of this Joint Declaration of Intent, the Sides intend to take on the following tasks, in accordance with national and international law:

1. Setting-up a bilateral meeting in the near future to consider options and topics of a migration and mobility partnership agreement that comprises, amongst others, regulation of specific procedures on readmission and return of persons required to leave the territory of either Side;

2. Exchanging information concerning the rights and obligations of citizens of the Sides before entering, and during their stay in, the territories of both Sides, including for purpose of studying in higher education institutions, receiving secondary and special education, participating in vocational training and professional development programmes as well as taking up employment;

3. Sharing non-personalised statistical information on citizens that entered the territories of the Sides for purpose of education and work and have returned home, as well as on spheres of their education and work;

4. Exchanging practical materials on specialised secondary, higher and vocational education implemented in the States of the Sides;

5. Sharing information on current labour market situation in the States of the Sides, demand in the labour force and skilled specialists;

6. Exchange of experiences and practices in the field of migration.

Section 4Protection of Data and Confidentiality

The Sides may disclose information received on the basis of this Joint Declaration of Intent only after receipt of prior written consent of the other Side, in accordance with national, and, where applicable, European Union legislation of the States of the Sides. According to this Joint Declaration of Intent, the Sides will not exchange any personal data and information.

Section 5Language of communication

The Sides intend to use English as language of communication, unless otherwise decided by the Sides.

Section 6Expenses

The Sides intend to cover their own costs emerging from cooperation under this Joint Declaration of Intent.

Section 7Amendments

This Joint Declaration of Intent may be amended at any time based on mutual consent of the Sides. The amendments will come into effect from the date of their signing. Amendments will be done in writing.

Section 8Final Provisions

This Joint Declaration of Intent is not intended to constitute a treaty, nor to create rights or obligations for any Side under national or international law.

This Joint Declaration of Intent will come into effect on the date of its signing.

Either Side may end the cooperation under this Joint Declaration of Intent at any time. It should inform the other Side in written form through diplomatic channels of its intention to end the cooperation at least six months prior.

Signed in Berlin on “2” may, 2023, in duplicate in English.

(signatures)