Eurasia News Digest (1-28 February, 2025)

Russia & Central Asia

Kazakhstan Ships First Kashagan Oil Through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

The first batch of Kashagan oil, in the volume of around 6,000 tons, was loaded on the Taraz oil tanker at the Aktau port on Jan. 25 and arrived at the Sangachal terminal in Baku on Jan. 27. From there, it will be transported by the BTC pipeline on to the Mediterranean Sea. The operation was made possible by a Jan. 15 agreement between SOCAR Midstream Operations, a subsidiary of SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, and KMG Trading, a subsidiary of KMG, Kazakhstan’s state-owned oil and gas company. It allows for the transit of 240,000 tons of Kashagan oil annually. Click here to read… [2]

Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan sign Ankara Declaration to strengthen trade, transport, and regional security

Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan have signed the Ankara Declaration, marking a new phase in their strategic partnership. The declaration follows the second trilateral meeting of the foreign affairs, trade, economy, and transport ministers from the three nations in Ankara, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. The Ankara Declaration stresses the countries' commitment to mutual respect, trust, and their shared historical and cultural ties. Central to the document is the reaffirmation of support for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with international law and the United Nations Charter. The declaration calls for enhanced mechanisms to promote regional stability and cooperation. Click here to read… [3]

China's Sun Energy Co. set to build solar power plant in Kyrgyzstan's Batken

Chinese company Sun Energy Co. is set to build a solar power plant in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports. According to the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Kyrgyzstan in the Batken region, the plant will be located on a 669.3-hectare plot of land in the village of Ak-Turpak, Kadamjay district. The project will have a capacity of 250 MW and an investment volume of $230 million. Additionally, solar panels with a capacity of 20 kW have been installed by Sun Energy Co. in the building of the Plenipotentiary Representative’s office in Batken. Click here to read… [4]

Kyrgyzstan Bans Islamic Niqab as Critics Warn It Could Alienate Some Women

Kyrgyzstan has become the latest country in Muslim-majority Central Asia to ban the Islamic niqab, a long garment that covers the body, hair, and face, except the eyes. Effective February 1, the ban imposes a fine of 20,000 Som ($230) on women who wear the niqab in public places. Female Islamic clothing and men's beards have long been the focus of government campaigns and public debates in Central Asia, where staunchly secular governments fear the growing influence of Islam. Kyrgyz lawmakers have said the ban is needed for security reasons -- so people's faces can be seen and individuals identified. But opponents say the ban deprives women of the freedom to choose what they want to wear. Click here to read… [5]

Turkmenistan and Türkiye Sign Landmark Gas Deal

On February 11, Türkiye’s energy minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, stated that Türkiye’s state-owned pipeline operator BOTAŞ and Turkmenistan’s Turkmen Gaz have reached a deal on the transportation of natural gas from Turkmenistan to Türkiye. According to the agreement, Ankara could buy up to 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas per year. The deal plans to begin the gas flow on March 1. The agreement, reached after 27 years of interest and negotiation, will diversify both Türkiye’s natural gas imports and Turkmenistan’s export markets. The gas is expected to be transported via Iran's existing natural gas network. The representatives reportedly also agreed to continue discussions about constructing a Trans-Caspian pipeline for the more direct export westward of Turkmenistan’s natural gas. Click here to read… [6]

Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania Advance Caspian Sea-Black Sea Transport Corridor

On February 10, representatives from the foreign ministries and transport authorities of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania held a video conference to discuss a draft intergovernmental agreement on the establishment and operation of the Caspian Sea-Black Sea International Transport Route, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry reported. Participants expressed confidence that the quadrilateral agreement, expected to be signed this year, will significantly boost international freight transportation between Central Asia and Europe. They also highlighted the anticipated positive impact on trade relations among the participating countries and emphasized the importance of involving international cargo transportation organizations to enhance connectivity between European and Asian markets. Click here to read… [7]

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Kuwait

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah, visited Kuwait, where he held high-level talks with the Emir in Kuwait City on February 17, 2025. The growing partnership between Uzbekistan and Kuwait, strengthened by agreements on air transport, labor, and smart city development, reflects a shared vision for long-term collaboration, with a focus on fostering economic, cultural, and political ties. Click here to read… [8]

Uzbekistan and Taliban Agree on Hairatan-Herat Railway Project

Taliban Deputy Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar announced that construction on the planned Hairatan-Herat railway would begin within 10 days of a feasibility study, which Uzbekistan will finance. He also stated that Uzbekistan had agreed to reduce the cost of a power transmission line project to Afghanistan by $30 million, lowering the total to $222 million, Amu TV reports. The announcement followed Baradar’s two-day visit to Uzbekistan. Click here to read… [9]

Uzbekistan, Pakistan strengthen cooperation with joint declaration

Uzbekistan and Pakistan have taken a step toward deepening their bilateral cooperation by signing a series of agreements during high-level talks. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan formalized their commitment by signing a Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening multifaceted relations. Additionally, the leaders established a High-Level Strategic Partnership Council to enhance collaboration in key areas. Click here to read… [10]

Iran and the South Caucasus

Iran, Tajikistan agree to abolish visa requirements for air travelers

The new policy, approved by Iran’s Cabinet, will take effect on February 3, 2025 (15th Bahman 1403), the statement said. It allows citizens of Iran and Tajikistan holding ordinary passports to travel between Tehran and Dushanbe without a visa. Travelers can stay for up to 30 days within a 90-day period. The initiative aims to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two countries and help promote people-to-people exchanges. Earlier this month, Iran’s tourism minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri announced extensive plans to strengthen ties with Tajikistan in tourism, trade, and cultural collaboration. Click here to read… [11]

Armenia invites Azerbaijan to launch rail freight transportation – PM

Yerevan has offered Baku to launch rail freight transportation, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said. "We have made a concrete proposal to Azerbaijan regarding the reopening of communications. It is based on the stance of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Given those stances, we invite Baku to launch rail freight transportation from western Azerbaijani regions to Nakhchivan through the Armenian city of Meghri, and back," Pashinyan said at a press conference on Friday. Click here to read… [12]

Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran to Discuss Rasht-Astara Railway Construction

Authorities from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran are set to discuss the progress of the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line, part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). On January 17, 2025, during the visit of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian to Russia, Tehran and Moscow agreed to sign a document confirming the decision to start building the line. The Russian side consented to start the construction work after the signing of the implementation agreement in March of this year. Moscow and Tehran have long discussed the financing issues with the ultimate approval of investment of over a billion euros. According to media reports, 1.3 billion euros of an intergovernmental loan has been agreed upon. The total cost of the Rasht-Astara line is estimated at 1.6 billion euros. Click here to read… [13]

Analysis: Armenian Prime Minister Sells his ‘peace agenda’ in Washington

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has made an extended visit to Washington, hoping to solidify his country’s image as Eurasia’s new democratization darling in the eyes of the West. It is uncertain, however, whether his message is resonating with the Trump administration. Pashinyan’s government over the past 18 months has broken with Russia and moved to boost cooperation with the United States and the European Union. In comments made during an appearance at the Atlantic Council on February 4, the Armenian Prime Minister voiced an intent to double down on his embrace of the West, expounding on the necessity of building a Western-style democracy in Armenia. Click here to read… [14]

Armenian EU membership bill passes first reading

A draft law supporting Armenia’s prospective EU membership bid passed its first reading in the Armenian Parliament. The bill passed with 63 votes in favour and seven against. The seven MPs who voted against the draft law belonged to the ‘I Have Honour’ opposition bloc. Armenia’s largest opposition faction, the Armenia Alliance, did not participate in the vote. Click here to read… [15]