You're reading: Germany, Kazakhstan sign deal on raw materials

BERLIN (AP) — Germany and Kazakhstan have agreed to step up cooperation on raw materials and technology.

The deal signed Wednesday after the meeting between Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Nursultan Nazarbayev is aimed at helping improve supplies of materials to Germany while also helping Kazakhstan to industrialize its economy.

Nazarbayev says it covers areas such as rare earths — needed by makers of high-tech goods — and metals.

Merkel says she also addressed human rights in Kazakhstan, and December clashes in the Kazakh oil town of Zhanaozen in which at least 16 people died.

She says she supports the president in calling for a commission of inquiry to find out what happened there.