Eurasia News Digest (16-31 July, 2024)

Russia & Central Asia

Tajikistan Commences Export of Mineral Fertilizers to Afghanistan

Tajikistan has begun to export mineral fertilizers to Afghanistan. It has recently delivered 626 tons of fertilizer produced at the Azot plant in the Khatlon region, valued at $169,000. According to information issued by the regional customs department, 13,700 tons of agricultural products were exported through the Khatlon checkpoint at the beginning of July, including 8.7 tons of onions, 438 tons of melons, 2.7 tons of fruit and grapes, and 120 tons of other products. Click here to read... [2]

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Launch Joint Projects, Seek to Increase Trade

On July 18, Kyrgyzstan’s president Sadyr Japarov arrived on a state visit to Uzbekistan and held talks with his compatriot Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. Mirziyoyev immediately emphasized that the state visit of the Kyrgyz president opens a new chapter in multifaceted Uzbek-Kyrgyz cooperation. The negotiations centered on measures to increase bilateral trade turnover, primarily through import substitution programs and industrial cooperation projects. The presidents also launched a joint factory in Kara-Balta, northern Kyrgyzstan, to produce linen and knitwear products. The factory will produce 17 thousand tons of knitted fabric annually and 7 million pieces of knitted products. Finally, the presidents launched the construction of two photovoltaic power plants, each with a capacity of 200 MW, in Uzbekistan’s Fergana and Namangan regions. The electricity generated by the plants will be supplied to Kyrgyzstan. Click here to read... [3]

Russia Deports Thousands of Tajik Citizens

During a press conference, the director of the Tajik Civil Aviation Agency, Habibullo Nazarzoda, announced that over the past six months, Russia expelled or deported some 3,400 Tajikistan citizens. Nazarzoda emphasized that the action was spurred by errors in the Tajik citizens’ documents as opposed to being politically motivated and stated, “The reason for denied entry into Russian territory was sometimes a lack of necessary documents. 95% of people who travel to the country know where they are going and why they are going, but cannot answer questions when asked. Many become confused. That’s why it’s not political.” Click here to read... [4]

Kazakhstan Intensifies Efforts to Combat Extremism

There appears to be a small, but growing problem with terrorism and extremism in Kazakhstan. More than 30 people from regions around the country have been detained in Kazakhstan so far in 2024, and in March, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) killed two Kazakh citizens who were in Russia, allegedly to carry out a terrorist attack. In response, the country’s Committee for National Security (KNB) had conducted dozens of raids. Kazakhstan’s government gave the KNB additional powers to monitor the internet, and authorities are tightening the law on religion. Click here to read... [5]

Demarcation of the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Border Nears Completion

As reported by Asia-Plus, on July 26, the governor of the Sughd region in Tajikistan, Rajabboy Ahmadzade, announced that the state border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which has been closed for three years, is expected to open soon. The commission for delineating the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has been in progress since 2022 but as stated by Ahmadzade, “To date, 94% of the border line has been fully delineated. We believe that everything will be resolved positively shortly.” Click here to read... [6]

Tajikistan Increases Oil Product Imports from Russia by 14% in 1H24

Tajikistan has reported an increase in its imports of oil products from Russia, with a rise of over 14% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan shared these details in preparation for a press conference held by Minister Daler Juma. According to the ministry's data, Tajikistan imported 65.6 thousand tons more oil products from Russia in the first six months of 2024, marking a 14.3% increase from the previous year. This quantity represents 54% of the indicative balance plan set for the period. Click here to read... [7]

Ecomoto to Begin Electric Scooter Production in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Chinese electric scooter manufacturer Ecomoto is set to begin production in the Tashkent region, according to the press service of the regional administration. The announcement follows a recent meeting between Odiljon Ataullaev, the khokim (mayor) of Yangiyol district, and Ecomoto representatives, culminating in the signing of a memorandum for the new production venture. The $10mn project, funded by foreign investment, is expected to generate 50 permanent jobs and commence production in the Yangiyol district in the second quarter of 2025. Click here to read... [8]

Turkish ŞA-RA Enerji to Construct Over 350 km of Power Transmission Lines in Uzbekistan

The Turkish company ŞA-RA Enerji İnşaat Ticaret ve Sanayi A.Ş has secured a contract to build 350 kilometers of power transmission lines (PTL) in Uzbekistan, according to a report from National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan. The project encompasses the construction of two distinct sections of power transmission lines. The first section involves the construction of 213 kilometers of 220 kV power transmission lines in the Tashkent region. The second section involves 137 kilometers of 500 kV power transmission lines in the southwestern part of the country. Representatives from ŞA-RA Enerji and the management of National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan met recently to discuss the progress and implementation of this infrastructure project. Click here to read... [9]

Iran and the South Caucasus

EU Body Gives Green Light to Starting Visa Liberalization Talks with Armenia

European Union ambassadors from the bloc's 27 nations have approved a European Commission proposal to start visa liberalization talks with Armenia, sources told RFE/RL on July 17. The long-discussed proposal now heads to the European Council for formal approval, and then on to the commission, which will announce details on when it will start the negotiations and the action plan it is putting forward. The process is different for each country as they try to fulfill various security requirements, but the process is expected to take several years to complete. Click here to read... [10]

Russia Rages over US Military Exercise in Armenia

An ongoing joint military exercise involving a comparatively small number of American and Armenian troops at a base in the Yerevan suburbs has caused a paroxysm of rage in the Kremlin. The 11-day joint exercise, dubbed Eagle Partner, will run through July 24 and is intended to boost the “interoperability between the US and Armenia during peacekeeping and stability operations,” according to a report distributed by the US European Command. It isn’t the number of troops involved that have Russian officials in a tizzy, its more about the timing and symbolism of the joint exercise. It is a tangible measure of the progress made by Armenia in its geopolitical pivot away from Russia towards the West following Yerevan’s loss of Nagorno-Karabakh. Click here to read... [11]

Azerbaijan Formally Invites Armenia to COP29

Azerbaijan has invited Armenia to the COP29 climate summit, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, announced on Sunday. “COP29 president-designate Mukhtar Babayev has sent a letter of invitation to the Armenian foreign minister,” Hajiyev told journalists on the sidelines of the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum, News.Az reports. He noted that sending this letter when both countries do not have official diplomatic relations is an illustration of Azerbaijan's goodwill and inclusive approach. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP29) will convene in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Click here to read... [12]

Pezeshkian on Foreign Policy at Swearing-in Ceremony: Yes, to Engagement No to Pressure

In his inaugural address, Pezeshkian laid out a vision for Iran's future, emphasizing constructive engagement with the world while upholding national dignity and interests. He declared, "The world needs to seize this unparalleled opportunity to address regional and international issues through the collaboration of a powerful, peace-seeking, and dignified Iran." Pezeshkian articulated his foreign policy approach as one rooted in "dignity, wisdom, and expediency," promising to prioritize constructive engagement with the international community. "In our vision," he stated, "Iran engages constructively and effectively in international relations while emphasizing religious democracy, social justice, legitimate freedoms, the preservation of human dignity and rights, and social and judicial security." Click here to read... [13]

Armenia Risks Losing the Russian Market | Opinion

In recent months, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has expressed serious concerns regarding the increasing number of cases of unsafe plant-based products being exported from Armenia to Russia. Nearly half of the imported vegetables and fruits were not presented to the service's specialists for inspection. This raises numerous questions and concerns among Russian consumers and regulatory bodies. This incident vividly illustrates how irresponsible attitudes towards quality norms and standards can damage a country's international reputation. By ignoring international standards, Armenia risks losing the trust of not only the Russian market but also other international partners. Click here to read... [14]