Eurasia News Digest (16-31 March 2024)

Russia and Central Asia

US held the first B5+1 Forum

Announced by President Biden during the inaugural C5+1 Summit in September 2023 and highlighted in the corresponding New York Declaration, the B5+1 is the private-sector-led counterpart to the C5+1 – the diplomatic platform among the five Central Asian governments plus the United States. With the “B” standing for business, the B5+1 platform facilitates public-private sector dialogue to foster enhanced U.S.-Central Asia economic partnership. The U.S. delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim and National Security Council Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia and Central Asia Nicholas Berliner. Click here to read… [2]

Kazakhstan to Expand Exports to Uzbekistan by Nearly $500 Million

Kazakhstan is ready to expand export supplies to Uzbekistan across 255 items worth approximately $500 million, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at a March 15 meeting with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov in Tashkent, reported the Kazakh Prime Minister’s press office. During his working visit to the capital, Bektenov was received by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Uzbek president lauded the strategic partnership between the countries, with bilateral trade standing at $4.5 billion last year. With Aripov, Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the need to enhance transit and transport capabilities in the region, highlighting the potential for cooperation in water use. Click here to read… [3]

Uzbekistan connects first phase of 511 MW solar project

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. (Masdar) has connected the first phase of a 511 MW solar project in Uzbekistan, linking the initial units of two solar plants. Chinese manufacturer Trina Tracker has supplied the plants with 11,248 sets of Vanguard 1P trackers. The first phases of two power plants in Uzbekistan with a combined installed capacity of 511 MW have been connected to the grid for power generation. The Samarkand and Jizzakh solar power plants, located in eastern Uzbekistan, were developed and built by Masdar and contracted by International Cooperation Co Ltd., a subsidiary of Dongfang Electric Corp. The plants feature 11,248 sets of Vanguard 1P trackers, supplied by Chinese manufacturer Trina Tracker. Click here to read… [4]

New Multilateral Initiative Targets Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness

The Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Program – a collaborative effort to safeguard the health of Kyrgyzstani citizens – launched today. This joint initiative between the United States, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, and a consortium of other organizations is an investment in the country’s resilience against public health emergencies. Click here to read… [5]

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Agree to Install Transboundary Water Meters

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced the agreement on March 19, noting in a press release that Kazakhstan will install meters on Uzbek territory and Uzbekistan will install meters on Kazakh territory. The statement also said that talks are underway over where to install the meters and also with international organizations for assistance in the project. Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said, “The installation of meters will make it possible to monitor the volumes of water consumed by both countries online. Already in April, we plan to begin negotiations on the implementation of similar projects with our other neighbors.” Click here to read… [6]

Astana, Nicosia Agree to Open New Chapter in Kazakh-Cypriot Relations

There is a huge potential for expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and Cyprus, said Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos during his March 25 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, reported Akorda. As of Jan. 1, more than 390 companies with the participation of Cypriot capital were registered in Kazakhstan, reported the Kazakh ministry, of which almost 330 are currently active. Click here to read… [7]

Turkmenistan, Italy sign cooperation program for 2024-2025

he delegation of Turkmenistan led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov paid visit to Italy on March 20, the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan reported. During the visit in Rome, negotiations were held between the Turkmen delegation and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani. The Foreign Ministers discussed the development of bilateral relations in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas. Positive interaction was noted within international organizations, in particular the UN. Click here to read… [8]

Anti-Migrant Sentiment Rises In Russia As 4 Tajiks Charged In Moscow Attack

Russia has charged four Tajiks in connection with the deadly terrorist attack on a concert venue near Moscow on March 22 that left at least 137 people dead. Russian media identified the men as Saidakram Rajabalizoda, Dalerjon Mirzoev, Muhammadsobir Faizov, and Faridun Shamsiddin and said they are Tajik citizens. The court said three of the four men had pleaded guilty to all charges during the closed-door hearing. Relatives load the coffin of a victim of twin suicide bombs that killed scores of people outside Kabul airport in August 2021. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State-Khorasan militant group. The announcement followed Russian media reports that several Tajik citizens were involved in the deadly attack, while unverified videos purportedly showed several suspects -- Tajik citizens -- being interrogated. Click here to read… [9]

Iran and the South Caucasus

European Parliament Resolution Supports Armenia’s Candidacy for EU Membership

The European Parliament on Wednesday, overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for closer ties between the European Union and Armenia, as well as supporting Armenia’s candidacy for membership in the bloc, “should Armenia be interested.” The resolution was adopted a vote of 504 in favor, four against and 32 abstentions. “Should Armenia be interested in applying for candidate status and continuing on its path of sustained reforms consolidating its democracy, this could set the stage for a transformative phase in EU-Armenia relations,’’ the resolution by the members of the EU’s legislative body reads. Click here to read… [10]

Secretary General starts South Caucasus visit in Baku, welcomes NATO’s long-standing partnership with Azerbaijan

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Baku on Sunday (17 March 2024), kicking off a three-day, tri-nation tour of the South Caucasus. Meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General welcomed Azerbaijan’s long-standing collaboration with the Alliance, saying he looked forward to further strengthening the partnership. On the situation in the South Caucasus, the Secretary General underlined that “peace and stability is not only important here but for security more broadly”. He said: “Armenia and Azerbaijan now have an opportunity to achieve an enduring peace after years of conflict.” He added: “I can just encourage you to seize this opportunity to reach a lasting peace agreement with Armenia”. Click here to read… [11]

Armenian PM Says Demarcation of Border With Azerbaijan Started

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says the delimitation and demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan, an issue that has been a key hurdle to a peace deal between the two countries after Baku retook control over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh last year, has begun. Talking to residents of the Tavush region that borders Azerbaijan on March 18, Pashinian said the main goal of the border delimitation and demarcation was "to avoid a war," adding that special commissions will work on the issue "to decide where the Republic of Armenia starts and that will be the country's state border." Click here to read… [12]

First Cargo Containers Delivered from China Via Kazakhstan Reach Azerbaijan

The 61 containers filled with goods covered the 7,000-kilometer trek from China's Xi'an Province in 11 days. After leaving Xi'an by train, the containers arrived at a terminal on the Kazakh shore of the Caspian Sea, from where they were loaded onto a vessel that crossed the land-locked body of water to Azerbaijan. The containers were then taken by rail to Abseron. Authorities expect that 10 such container trains will reach Azerbaijan from China via Kazakhstan each month. Click here to read… [13]

Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia considers holding referendum on joining Russia

Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia is considering holding a referendum on joining Russia, a local official told Russian media on Sunday. “When we, together with Russia, come to this idea (about joining the Russian Federation), we will do it,” Alan Alborov, the head of the breakaway region’s parliament, told the state news agency RIA in response to a question about the possibility of holding a referendum on this matter. “We are discussing all these issues in close coordination with the Russian Federation, taking into account our bilateral relations and agreements,” Alborov said. In 2008, a five-day conflict broke out between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Click here to read… [14]

Armenian PM emphasized Georgia's role in facilitating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan

“After the thirteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee held on January 6, we signed a declaration to implement ambitious plans for the development of bilateral relations,” stated Nikol Pashinyan in a joint statement with the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Pashinyan emphasized Armenia’s consistent support for Georgia’s European integration efforts. “It is crucial that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries are recognized. We discussed the importance of enhancing cooperation even further. Our bilateral relationship is not only strategically significant but also founded on sustainability and mutual understanding. Georgia’s attainment of the EU candidate member status last year is a significant development, and I welcome it. This milestone has broader implications, not only for our region but also for our bilateral relations,” added Pashinyan. Click here to read… [15]