Eurasia News Digest (16-31 October 2023)

Russia and Central Asia

Contract for Remaining Work on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan Power Line Signed

Turkmenistan's 500 KV line project was started in 2016 with the financial support of the Asian Development Bank, but with the reestablishment of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, the bank's financial assistance and the work on this project were stopped. According to the Ministry of Energy and Water, the Islamic Emirate will pay the investor company its $75 million costs as well as any profits after finishing the remaining work on this project from Sheberghan to Dasht Alwan and from there to the Arghandi area of Kabul. Click here to read... [2]

Putin calls for ex-Soviet states to expand their influence and comments on Israel-Hamas war

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended CIS summit of a Moscow-dominated alliance of several ex-Soviet nations and commended the growing cooperation between them despite Western sanctions against Russia. Putin met in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, with the leaders of most fellow members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. He told reporters that economic exchanges between Russia and the alliance’s other nations have increased despite Western threats to punish them for maintaining ties with Moscow. The Russian leader also commented on the Israel-Hamas war. Putin argued that Israel has the right to defend itself after an attack by Hamas that was “unprecedented not only in its scale, but also its cruelty.” Click here to read... [3]

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Closer To Border Deal After 20 Years Of Negotiations

Kyrgyz government sources have said that the border issue was discussed on October 2 by the heads of the powerful security services of both countries. No details were provided, but at least one journalist said to be close to the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security Tashiyev has characterized the talks as having produced “historic” results. The presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan met on October 13 for talks on the demarcation and delimitation of their shared border amid indications that some differences have been resolved. Click here to read... [4]

Central Asian leaders travel to China to pay homage to Xi’s BRI vision

Xi on October 17 greeted a parade of foreign guests from over 140 nations, including Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Russian leader Vladimir Putin was also expected to put in an appearance during the two-day event. At an evening welcome banquet Xi said that BRI had “delivered thousands of practical cooperation projects, and achieved solid and substantial results.” The high praise for BRI’s achievements, however, was delivered against a backdrop of a scaled-back blueprint for its future. In recent years, Beijing has downsized its strategy, backing away from funding grandiose infrastructure projects and instead concentrating on smaller, more environmentally friendly undertakings. The shift is a reflection both of China’s deepening domestic economic woes and the reality that, while BRI has indeed fostered economic growth, many BRI-financed projects are underutilized, leaving China holding a mountain of potentially bad debt that does little to enhance Beijing’s image among the debtor nations. Click here to read... [5]

Turkey's Anka Military Drones to Be Assembled In Kazakhstan

An official of the Turkish Aerospace Industries company, Erol Oguz, said on October 15 that the company's Anka drones will be assembled in Kazakhstan soon, adding that further investments in the project are under discussion. In May 2022, Turk Havacilik ve Uzay Sanayii (TUSAS) and Kazakhstan's Qazaqstan Engineering signed a memorandum on producing Anka drones in the Central Asian country. TUSAS has produced Anka drones for Turkey's Defense Ministry since 2013. The move makes Kazakhstan the first production base of the Anka outside Turkey. Click here to read... [6]

Kyrgyzstan: Billions spent on preventing revolutions, says security services chief

The head of Kyrgyzstan’s security services revealed in a speech on October 19 that the government has spent over $2 billion on bolstering the state security apparatus, in part to prevent popular uprisings of the kind that ushered him into office. Kamchybek Tashiyev said in the speech, which he delivered at the inauguration of new premises for a local branch of the State Committee National Security, or GKNB, in Kara-Balta, a city in the northern Chui region, that the investment was aimed at “bolstering the strength and power of the state.” He refrained from explaining how this spending was being funded. Click here to read... [7]

Uzbekistan pursues mediation with Afghanistan over Qosh Tepa canal

Officials in Uzbekistan have said a government delegation will travel to Afghanistan in the coming months to conduct negotiations over an ambitious canal project that is sparking deep concern over water security in the region. Tashkent-based outlet Gazeta.uz on October 19 cited Ulugbek Kosimov, the governor of the southern Surkhandaryo region, which borders Afghanistan, as saying the talks could take place before the end of the year. This announcement comes on the heel of news that the Taliban-run government in Kabul is poised to start work on the second phase of the Qosh Tepa canal, which has been billed by Afghan officials as a way for Afghanistan to ensure its own farming needs. Click here to read... [8]

Russia and Kyrgyzstan to Create Shared Air Defense System

Kyrgyzstan's parliament ratified an agreement for a common air defense system with Russia, just a day before a planned visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Central Asian country. The agreement states that a land plot of five hectares at the Kant Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan will be used for the joint program. "Lawmakers examined and adopted the bill on the ratification of the agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation for the creation of a Joint Regional Air Defense System," the Kyrgyz parliament said. Click here to read... [9]

Kazakh, Chinese Companies to Implement Joint Gas Projects

KazMunayGas (KMG) national oil and gas company and China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation (CNCEC) agreed to construct a gas turbine power plant (GTPP) at the Atyrau oil refinery, reported the company’s press service on Oct. 18. During a working visit to China, KMG Chairman Magzum Mirzagaliyev met with Zhiyuan Lu, director for the ASEAN Region of China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation (CNCEC). Click here to read... [10]

Kazakhstan, China Sign 30 Commercial Documents Worth Over $16 Billion

Kazakhstan and China signed 30 commercial documents worth $16.54 billion on Oct. 17 during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to China, reported the Akorda press service. Kazakh and Chinese major companies and institutions signed agreements on the transfer of technology for production, the opening of credit lines, the supply of vehicles powered by new energy sources, and trade and investment agreements, among others. Click here to read... [11]

USAID, Administrator Power Announces More Than $14 Million to Support the People of Uzbekistan

Administrator Samantha Power visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan to deepen the U.S. partnership with the people of Uzbekistan. During her visit, she will announce additional investments, including an additional $14.2 million to strengthen collaboration in global health, governance, and economic growth. With this additional funding, the United States, through USAID will work to Combat Tuberculosis (TB), Epidemic and Pandemic Threats, Strengthening Businesses and the Private Sector, Ensuring More Accountable and Effective Local Governance. Click here to read... [12]

Presidents of Uzbekistan, China plan doubled commerce turnover by 2028

Presidents of Uzbekistan and China agreed to convey the commerce turnover to $20 billion within the subsequent 5 years, Trend stories. The comment was made throughout the assembly between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of China Xi Jinping on October 17 in Beijing. During the talks, the events mentioned problems with additional strengthening of Uzbek-Chinese relations and complete strategic partnership, in addition to expressed curiosity in increasing the portfolio of high-tech initiatives by collectively organizing the manufacturing of progressive merchandise with excessive added worth. Click here to read... [13]

China Eager To Increase Trade Turnover With Turkmenistan

China and Turkmenistan should increase the volume of bilateral trade, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, Trend reports. He made the remark during talks with Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov within the framework of the Third 'One Belt, One Road' Forum of International Cooperation in Beijing. He said that China is ready to strengthen the coherence between the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and Turkmenistan's development strategy for the revival of the 'Great Silk Road'. Berdimuhamedov, in turn, noted that President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening of this event outlined the course of future cooperation between the two countries. Click here to read... [14]

China Energy To Help Establish Hybrid Power Plant In Uzbekistan's Region

China Energy Engineering Corporation plans to participate in the construction of a hybrid power plant in Uzbekistan's Navoi region, Trend reports. The statement followed a meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairman of China Energy Engineering Corporation Song Hailiang as part of the president's visit to China. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for partnership in the energy sector, including the modernization of infrastructure facilities, the creation of energy storage systems, and the training of qualified specialists within the framework of the Industry Development Program until 2030. Click here to read... [15]

Kazakhstan Says It Restricted Export of War-Related Goods to Russia

Kazakhstan has restricted the export of goods to Russia that can be used for military purposes following demands from the West that the Central Asian nation and its neighbors abide by sanctions imposed on Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kazakh Deputy Trade Minister Kairat Torebaev said on October 19 that the export to Russia of 106 goods “related to the war” had been banned by the government, including items such as drone components, electronics, and computer chips manufactured abroad. “We have completely restricted their export,” he said. Click here to read... [16]

Kyrgyzstan, China sign a bunch of agreements during Premier Li Qiang's official visit

Several agreements were signed during the official visit of Premier of China's State Council Li Qiang to Kyrgyzstan. The signing ceremony was held following the talks held between Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov and Premier Li Qiang. Click here to read... [17]

Kyrgyzstan's debt to China grows 37 times for 15 years. What it was taken for?

To date, the main creditor of Kyrgyzstan is theExport-Import Bank of China (Eximbank). The republic owes it more than $1.7 billion. Moreover, the republic borrowed 90 percent of the amount when Almazbek Atambayev was president of the country. Kyrgyzstan took its first loan from Eximbank in 1992. The amount was small by today’s standards — about $5 million. The amounts were small at that time, so there were no concerns. Debts to China began to grow sharply in 2008. Then Kyrgyzstan borrowed $38 million in just one year. And that was just the beginning. Since then, more and more loans have been taken out, and the debt has grown exponentially. Click here to read... [18]

Türkiye wants Turkmenistan as full member at Organization of Turkic States

Ankara wants Turkmenistan to become a full member of the Organization of Turkic States, Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. "I would like to emphasise that we want to see Turkmenistan, which has become an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States, as a full member in our family assembly," Erdogan said at a press conference on Thursday. "What is happening in the world, especially in our region, highlights the importance of uniting under the umbrella of Organization of Turkic States," he added. Click here to read... [19]

The first C5+1 ministerial meeting on regional connectivity in Central Asia held in Samarkand

Tajikistan was represented at the event by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ahliddin Nouriddinov. Co-chaired by the USAID Administrator Samantha Power and officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the conference was reportedly focused on issues related to enhancing regional connectivity and cooperation in the region. The C5+1 governments agreed to deepen collaboration to increase trade through the digitization of customs systems and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Click here to read... [20]

Kazakhstan To 'End Cooperation' With Steel Giant ArcelorMittal After 33 Killed In Mine Fire

The death toll in a coal mine fire in central Kazakhstan has risen to 33, authorities said on October 28, adding that the chances of survival are slim for another 13 people who remained missing. Some 252 people were underground at the Kostenko mine in the Qaraghandy region when the fire struck, said the operating company ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steel producer. Hours later, authorities said an evacuation had been ordered after a fire broke out but that an explosion occurred before many workers could be led away. The blast could be felt more than 2 kilometers away, rescue official Gennady Silinsky told a news briefing. Click here to read... [21]

Iran and South Caucasus

Armenian President Ratifies Country's ICC Membership despite Russian Warnings

President Vahagn Khachaturian has signed into law a decision by the Armenian parliament to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), putting the Caucasus nation in the jurisdiction of the Hague-based institution despite warnings from its longtime ally Russia. Khachaturian's move was announced in a brief statement published on the Armenian presidency's website. The Kremlin, which last month warned that Armenia’s move would worsen a growing rift with Moscow, called the parliament's ratification an “extremely hostile” move toward Russia and "an incorrect decision." Click here to read... [22]

Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijanis and Armenians lived in friendship

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Sunday (Oct 15) raised the country's national flag in the capital of the former breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh weeks after Baku launched a military operation which brought the territory back under Azerbaijan's control. He said, There was a time when the Azerbaijanis and Armenians lived in friendship not only in Khankendi, but also in Karabakh, Baku, Ganja, Yerevan, Goycha, Zangezur, Daralayaz and Basarkechar, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said after he raised the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi. He recalled that after Heydar Aliyev came to power in Soviet Azerbaijan, some nationalist forces that had existed in Karabakh until then completely withdrew. From 1969 to 1982, there was not a single unpleasant incident - exactly 18 years. Click here to read... [23]

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan sign military cooperation plan for 2024

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have signed a memorandum on military cooperation for 2024. This was reported by the press service of the Uzbek Defense Ministry after a meeting between Defense Minister Bakhodir Kurbanov and Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov. During the official visit, the ministers visited the memorial complex of Bahauddin Naqshband in Bukhara, as well as the Bukhara training ground.During the talks, the heads of defense ministries exchanged views on the prospects of cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres. Click here to read... [24]

Azerbaijan drops Armenian land corridor plan, looks to Iran - Aliyev adviser

Azerbaijan is no longer interested in securing a land corridor through Armenia to the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhichevan and will instead discuss the issue with its southern neighbour Iran, a senior Azerbaijani official said on Wednesday. Routing a potential corridor through Iran, which borders both Armenia and Azerbaijan, could help reduce tensions around southern Armenia, which Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has in the past referred to as historically Azeri land. Click here to read... [25]

Azerbaijan, China discuss prospects for development of military cooperation

Azerbaijan's Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, who is on a working visit to the People's Republic of China, has participated in the reception on the occasion of the opening of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. As part of the reception, Minister Zakir Hasanov met with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China, Colonel General Zhang Youxia. Click here to read... [26]

Three main principles of peace and normalization with Azerbaijan are agreed upon: Pashinyan

The three main principles of normalization of relations and peace with Azerbaijan are agreed upon and the signing of a peace treaty will be realistic if both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides remain committed to these principles, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said. “Essentially the three main principles of normalization of relations and peace with Azerbaijan are agreed upon. And if the parties remain committed to these agreed principles, the signing of the treaty on peace and normalization of relations becomes realistic,” Pashinyan said at a committee hearing in parliament on the 2024 state budget. Click here to read... [27]