The integration of Central Asian states and the formation of a common space for cooperation have always been considered an inevitable process that will sooner or later determine the main trends in the region’s development. The very understanding of Central Asia, based on historical, cultural and religious commonalities, is not about creating new but rather
On February 5, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. During the talks, special attention was paid to building up transit and transport interaction by unlocking the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). The parties emphasized
On February 5 in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, who was in China on a state visit. As reported by Xinhua, Xi said that bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development in recent years and been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. He said that
The Tajik Supreme Court has delivered guilty verdicts in a controversial high-profile treason case, handing lengthy prison terms to former senior government officials and politicians who were accused of plotting to overthrow authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. After a months-long trial that occurred behind closed doors inside a detention center known for
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has canceled plans to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections in Tajikistan in March. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on February 4 that the lack of assurance by the authorities of Tajikistan that international observers will be accredited has regrettably made
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Malaysia on February 4-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim. President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Ibrahim held talks in a narrow format and with the participation of official delegations. Following the talks, a Joint Statement on deepening bilateral cooperation towards strategic
The First High-Level Committee Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev was held on February 3 in Tehran. The meeting brought together deputy foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan to
In an interview with Xinhua news agency ahead of his state visit to China, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov lauded strategic partnership between the two countries and said that China is one of Kyrgyzstan’s main trade and investment partners. The text of the interview was published on Japarov’s official website. President Japarov said that Kyrgyzstan deeply
From January 31 to February 1, Almaty hosted Digital Almaty 2025, a forum focused on artificial intelligence and its pivotal role in the new industrial era. Under the theme “Industrial AI: Technologies for a New Era,” participants explored AI integration in industry, finance, healthcare, education, and ESG, along with emerging opportunities for digital transformation. The forum was organized
On January 30 in Almaty, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held talks with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliyev to discuss cooperation in trade, economy, water, transport and logistics, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and tourism. Bektenov noted that bilateral trade for the first 11 months of last
On January 28-29 in Turkey, Laziz Kudratov, the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, participated in a meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Transport from Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. He also attended a trilateral business forum with the participation of over 400 representatives from the business communities of the three
Rare earth metals (REM) are becoming one of the most valuable components of the global economy, playing a key role in the development of mechanical engineering, defense, aerospace, medical, and other industries, reads an article published by Al Jazeera. New oil According to Research Nester forecasts, in 2023-2035 the average annual growth rate of the
On January 24, the European Union Delegation to Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held a joint press conference to reflect on their partnership in 2024 and outline strategic priorities for the year ahead, the EU Delegation reported. Ms. Beata Peksa, Ambassador of the European Union to Turkmenistan, expressed her gratitude to
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has signed into law amendments to the country’s legislation regulating the religious sphere. The amendments were passed by the Kyrgyz parliament on December 26, 2024 with the purpose to ensure the rights and establish the responsibility of citizens and religious associations in their religious activities in accordance with the Law “On
Kyrgyzstan Sanctions: Discussions on Removal Progress On January 22, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Meder Abakirov invited U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Lesslie Viguerie to a meeting to discuss issues related to the inclusion of Kyrgyzstan’s Keremet Bank, Gazprom Neft Asia LLC, and Munai Myrza CJSC in the U.S. sanctions
U.S. Secretary of State Advocates for Kazakhstan Repeal The recent comments of Marco Rubio, the new U.S. Secretary of State under the Donald Trump administration, regarding the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, a law that imposes restrictions on trade with several countries in Central Asia, raise hopes that the new U.S. administration will take steps to repeal this
The Satpayev City Court in Kazakhstan has sentenced a native of Kazakhstan’s Ulytau region to four and a half years in prison for his participation in the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict. The man served in Russian private military company Wagner, which fought in Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation, Orda.kz reported. According to the
During his first visit to Tajikistan on January 16, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian held negotiations with the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon. Welcoming the high-ranking guest, Rahmon noted that “the people of Tajikistan and Iran are united by an inextricable historical, cultural and civilizational commonality”. The leaders discussed expansion
On January 16, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko met with British Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kathy Leach. The parties reviewed the results of the two countries’ interaction in 2024, highlighting the meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku. The discussion also focused
On January 15, in Abu Dhabi, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan held talks to discuss key issues of further deepening Uzbek-Emirati relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation, including in political, trade and economic, investment, innovation, cultural, humanitarian and other priority spheres. The parties emphasized
