Eurasia News Digest (1-15 December, 2023)

Russia& Central Asia

Kazakhstan purchases 10 Su-30SM aircraft ignoring French Rafale

On November 30, Yerzhan Nildibayev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Chief of Air Defence and head of the primary armaments division, announced Kazakhstan’s decision to purchase Russian-made Su-30SM fighters, rejecting a concurrent offer from France for Rafale jets. Nildibayev revealed that the Kazakh Defence Ministry plans to acquire ten more of the Su-30SMs by 2023-2024, highlighting their superior “quality-price” ratio in comparison to the French competitors. For several months, France’s Dassault Aviation had been marketing their Rafale jets to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, both of which operate an older fleet of Soviet jets. These planes, such as Kazakh MiG-29 strike fighters and Uzbek Su-27 air superiority fighters, are predicted to be retired from service soon. Click here to read… [2]

ACWA starts work on a hydrogen plant in Uzbekistan involving 2.4 GW of wind

The Saudi power company ACWA Power and the Chinese state-owned power group PowerChina have launched construction works on a green hydrogen plant in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan. The project will be developed in two phases. The US$100m first phase will see the development of a 3 kt/year green ammonia project, to be used by the Uzbek chemicals industry as a replacement for natural gas. The US$4bn second phase plans the development of 2.4 GW of wind capacity to power the production of 500 kt/year of green ammonia. Click here to read… [3]

Suspected China-based hackers target Uzbekistan gov’t and South Koreans, Cisco says

Hackers believed to be based in China are targeting the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as people in South Korea, with a strain of malware called SugarGh0st, according to a new report. Cisco published a blog on Thursday spotlighting the malware — which they believe is a variant of Gh0st RAT, an infamous tool used for more than a decade by a range of advanced persistent threat (APT) groups in attacks on diplomatic, political, economic, and military targets around the world. In the latest campaign identified by Cisco Talos researchers, a Chinese-speaking threat actor began attacking targets in August. Click here to read… [4]

Kazakhstan, US Forge Alliance, Pledge Swift Action to Cut Methane Emissions at COP28

Kazakhstan joined the Global Methane Pledge on Dec. 2 on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Akorda press service reported. In a joint United States (U.S.) and Kazakhstan statement on accelerating methane mitigation efforts issued by the Special Representative of Kazakhstan’s President on International Environmental Cooperation Zulfiya Suleimenova, and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, the sides emphasized the commitment to building on the successful partnership of more than 30 years between the two nations. Highlighting the fifth anniversary of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Kazakhstan and the U.S., Suleimenova and Kerry recognized the increasing opportunities for cooperation on methane abatement. Both countries acknowledged their pivotal roles in creating a greener, safer, and better world while emphasizing the urgent need to rapidly reduce methane emissions before 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Click here to read… [5]

Central Asian Ecosystems Are Rapidly Collapsing

Central Asian environmental researchers warn of the rapid destruction of natural ecosystems in Central Asia. Some of them believe that this is an irreversible process. Furthermore, the residents of the region are already feeling the consequences of these processes. They propose to put aside all existing disagreements between the countries of the region and solve the problems of environmental degradation jointly to save the ecosystem while it is still possible. In recent years, residents of Central Asian countries have felt the consequences of global climate change more acutely. These include more frequent dust storms, abnormally hot summers, unusual for the region cold winters, the shallowing of rivers and lakes, and other environmental problems. The forecasts of environmental scientists who repeatedly warned that human activity is destroying the planet are coming true. The global situation is even ahead of these forecast. Click here to read… [6]

Kazakhstan: Freezing temperatures cause infrastructure failures – again

An intense phase of cold weather in Kazakhstan has caused damage to a gas pipeline and knocked heating and power stations offline across at least eight cities, once again exposing the creaking condition of much of the country’s key utility infrastructure.
State news agency Kazinform reported on December 13 that damage sustained by a gas pipeline in the southern Zhambyl region left at least 1,200 homes without the fuel. A similar incident on the same section of pipeline, which has been in operation since 1991, reportedly occurred last winter. Click here to read… [7]

How Can Central Asian Countries Promote Collective Regional Identity

In light of the current global trends and the changing dynamics in geopolitics, it is advantageous for Central Asian countries to develop a unified sense of shared values and objectives. In recent years, Central Asia has experienced a surge in regionalism, prompting discussions on the formation of a regional identity. This topic gained significant attention during the Central Asia Media Forum in Astana in December 2022, where representatives from countries such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan emphasized the importance of citizens feeling a sense of belonging not only to their own countries, but also to the broader Central Asian region. Click here to read… [8]

We agree upon more than 90% of common border,’ say chairs of Tajik-Kyrgyz commission for border delineation

The co-chairman of the Tajik-Kyrgyz commission for delimitation and demarcation of the disputed segments of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border – Head of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan (SCNS) Saimumin Yatimov and his Kyrgyz counterpart Kamchybek Tashiyev -- met in Batken, Kyrgyzstan on December 12. Kyrgyz media reports say they discussed the outcomes of work of the topographic and legal working groups in 2023 and gave tasks to ramp up work on completion of delineation of the mutual border. Following the meeting, they reportedly made a statement for the press. AKIpress reports that Saimumin Yatimov said vital issues were discussed. “We underlined once again and realized that the two countries have common interests, common goals. Therefore, we have common affairs as well. The logical conclusion is in the interest of our peoples. This is safety and socio-economic development of our states.” Click here to read… [9]

Foreign Ministry: Kazakhstan Evacuates Almost All Nationals From Gaza Strip

Kazakhstan has evacuated 127 citizens and members of their families from the Gaza Strip, said Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu in an interview with Kazinform on Dec. 14. According to Nurtleu, one Kazakh citizen and ten members of his family – Palestinian citizens who voluntarily refused to evacuate – remain in Gaza. “The ministry and foreign agencies continue to monitor the situation and are ready to evacuate if they receive applications for evacuation from Kazakhstan nationals. I would also like to remind you that, due to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan delivered humanitarian aid weighing 38 tons and sent humanitarian assistance worth $1 million to the population of Gaza. The cargo includes food, bedding, medicines, and medical products,” Nurtleu said. Click here to read… [10]

Five Tajiks get lengthy jail terms on charges of plotting a terrorist attack against FSB headquarters in Moscow

Five citizens of Tajikistan and a Russian citizen have got lengthy jail terms on charges of plotting a terrorist attack against the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in Moscow. Five Tajik nationals – Manouchehr Buriyev, Rajabali Buriyev, Abdumalik Samiyev, Samandar Toshmurodov and Abduqodir Toirov – an a Russian citizen from Dagestan Republic, Gadzhimurad Gasanaliyev, have convicted to prison terms between 16 years and 22 years on December 14. The sentence reportedly followed their conviction on charges of organizing a terrorist group and plotting a terrorist attack against the FSB headquarters on Lubyanka Square in downtown Moscow. Click here to read… [11]

Iran to cancel visa requirements for visitors from Tajikistan

Iranian media reports say the Iranian Cabinet has decided to unilaterally cancel visa requirements for visitors from 33 more countries, including Tajikistan. IRNA reports that speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Ezzatollah Zarghami said on December 13 that the decision is aimed at boosting tourism arrivals and attracting more visitors from countries around the world. Iranian official added that efforts to boost tourism can neutralize Iranophobia campaigns. Click here to read… [12]

Tajikistan-based company subjected to U.S. sanctions for supplying aviation parts to Russia

The United States Department of Treasury stated on December 12 that last week, G7 Leaders reaffirmed their support for an independent, democratic Ukraine within is internationally recognized borders. “Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), is implementing the commitments made by G7 Leaders by taking action against third-country actors who materially support Russia’s war; targeting Russian military procurement networks and those who help Russia acquire machine tools, equipment, and key inputs; and further curtailing Russia’s use of the international financial system to further its war in Ukraine,” says a statement. Click here to read… [13]

Kyrgyzstan expected to start electricity export since 2026

We will achieve electricity surplus in 2026 and will begin exporting electricity," Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov said during the Second Kurultai in Bishkek. 5 small hydropower plants, 5 solar power plants and the second turbine-generator unit of the Toktogul hydropower plant were launched in 2023 to cope with shortate of electricity, the Cabinet Chairman said. The capacity will grow by 178 MW in 2024 with launch of 25 small hydropower plants, another unit of the Toktogul hydropower plant, he said. Click here to read… [14]

Iran and the South Caucasus

Azerbaijan and EU to update energy partnership roadmap – minister

Azerbaijan and the EU will update the roadmap for the realization of the Azerbaijan-EU Strategic Energy Partnership document, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said on X (Twitter), Trend reports. "We had constructive meetings with EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in the UAE about the Southern Gas Corridor and the Green Energy Corridor, two major priorities of our energy discourse. We decided to amend the implementation roadmap for the Azerbaijan-EU Strategic Energy Partnership paper," the minister said. Click here to read… [15]

Minister Shahbazov and Blinken's aide met in Dubai

Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, who is in the United Arab Emirates, met with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt. The meeting took place at the Azerbaijan National Pavilion, created as part of COP 28 in Dubai. At the meeting, issues related to the reduction of methane emissions, the creation of green energy capacities on land and at sea in Azerbaijan, the production of hydrogen, as well as the transfer of electricity and green hydrogen through the green energy corridor “Caspian - Black Sea - Europe” were discussed. Click here to read… [16]

Azerbaijan continues to arrest journalists

Azerbaijan's government is continuing its spree of arresting local independent journalists. The wave of detentions began last month as relations deteriorated between the U.S. and state-run and pro-government media signaled a hunt for "U.S. spies" in the country that coincided with arrests of independent journalists. U.S.-Azerbaijani ties improved somewhat with the visit of a top State Department official last week and the anti-American campaign has died down in the media. But the arrests continue unabated. Click here to read… [17]

Orban blocks EU aid for Ukraine after membership talks agreed

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked 50 billion euros in EU aid for Ukraine, after leaders side-stepped his opposition to agree to open talks with Kyiv on joining the bloc. A crunch summit in Brussels broke up after a day of wrangling as the Hungarian authoritarian leader refused to greenlight funding to help prop up Ukraine's government over the next four years. "Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine," Orban wrote on social media. The EU's other 26 leaders agreed to come back to the debate at a fresh meeting early next year to try to thrash out an agreement on the desperately needed support for Kyiv. Click here to read… [18]

Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange prisoners in step towards normalization

Armenia and Azerbaijan have traded prisoners of war at their border in a step towards normalising their relations three months after Azerbaijan achieved a decisive breakthrough in their decades-old conflict. The exchange took place on Wednesday with Azerbaijan releasing 32 Armenians mostly captured in late 2020 while Armenia released two Azerbaijani soldiers held since April. “Thirty-one personnel from Armenia’s armed forces captured in 2020-2023 and one serviceman captured in Nagorno-Karabakh in September have crossed the Azerbaijani-Armenian border and are on Armenian territory,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook account. Azerbaijan’s state commission for prisoners of war also released a statement about the swap. Click here to read… [19]

Caucasus closer to peace than ever before: Fidan

Türkiye has welcomed the recent confidence-building measures taken by Armenia and Azerbaijan and underlined that the South Caucasus is closer to historic peace than ever before with calls on the third parties not to hinder the talks between the two countries. “We are closer to regional peace and stability more than ever. We are in uninterrupted coordination with Azerbaijan for seizing this opportunity,” Fidan told reporters at a press conference with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov in Baku on Dec. 14. Fidan paid a one-day visit to Baku where he had talks with his counterpart on bilateral issues as well as regional developments, particularly on the ongoing peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He was also received by President Ilham Aliyev. Click here to read… [20]