International Affairs - The Times Of Central Asia

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European Commission Vice-President’s Visit a “New Impetus” to EU-Turkmenistan Relations

On January 17th, a delegation from the EU led by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas visited Turkmenistan as part of its wider tour of Central Asia, with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan being their previous stops. The visit comes ahead of the Europe-Central Asia Investors Forum, which aims at strengthening connectivity by developing transport routes within and between Central Asia and the European Union. It is also a testament to the growing partnership between the EU and the region, said the Delegation of the EU to Turkmenistan. In Ashgabat, Schinas met with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov. At the meeting, key issues such as cooperation in the EU-Central Asia format, the engagement of Central Asian countries in the EU Global Gateway initiative, and the participation of Turkmenistan in the upcoming Investors Forum were discussed. Schinas welcomed Turkmenistan’s efforts in the process of its accession to the World Trade Organization and its commitment to becoming a member of a multilateral trading system, and congratulated Turkmenistan for joining the Global Methane Pledge at COP28 in Dubai. He also underscored the EU's commitment to human rights as a fundamental principle and commended Turkmenistan's engagement in the Annual Human Rights Dialogue. At a press briefing following the visit, Schinas said “I am proud to be the first Commissioner to visit Turkmenistan since the beginning of this European Commission five years ago. Turkmenistan is an important partner of the EU in Central Asia. My visit was an opportunity to discuss Global Gateway, the EU’s main investment strategy with partners worldwide. The Global Gateway is about investing in our mutual interests, and is ideally suited to Central Asia given that it is already the world’s gateway between East and West. It was also an occasion to give new impetus to EU-Turkmenistan relations across the board.”

Turkmenistan Home Turkmenistan Turkmenistan International Affairs International Affairs

Summit of Heads of Government to be held on 300th Anniversary of Pyragy

In 2024, Turkmenistan will host a summit of heads of government and an international conference of Ministers of Culture in honor of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly Pyragy, the great Turkmen poet and thinker. The initiative was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, TDH reports. The summit is scheduled to be held in October, whilst the ministerial conference will take place in May. In addition, Turkmenistan plans to organize various events, such as scientific conferences, contests, literary evenings, film screenings and theatrical productions, as well as creative weeks in countries around the world. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed the head of the Foreign Ministry to ensure a highly organized roster of international events designed to increase the international renown of the poet.

Tajikistan International Affairs International Affairs Tajikistan Tajikistan Features

Russian Military to Train Specialists in Tajikistan’s Army

Russian military instructors from the Central Military District of the Russian 201st base in Tajikistan will train 1,000 specialists in the Armed Forces of Tajikistan in 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defense has stated. Training will take place in the Lyaur and Sambuli bases in 14 military specialties: driver mechanic and gunner operator of the T-72 tank, crew commander of the BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, gunner of the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery gun, gunner of the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier, gunner-operator of the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, reconnaissance officer, grenade launcher, and others, the ministry said. The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia’s largest military facility outside its borders. Located in two cities, Dushanbe and Bokhtar, the bases include motorized rifle, tank, artillery, reconnaissance, and air defense units. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier stated during President Rahmon’s visit to Moscow in November 2023 that Russia and Tajikistan would continue deepening cooperation in defense, military-technical, counterterrorism and antidrug trafficking operations. “We will continue working to maintain peace and stability in Central Asia. We intend to continue actively using the potential of the 201st Russian military base in Tajikistan,” Putin said at the time.

Turkmenistan Home Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan Features

UN General Assembly Adopts Resolutions Initiated by Turkmenistan

On December 19th, 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan: “Strengthening connections between all modes of transport to achieve sustainable development goals,” and “The key role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in ensuring sustainable development." The resolution on transport was co-sponsored by 47 states, and the resolution on energy connectivity by 38 countries, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry stated. The document on cooperation in the transport sector proclaims 2026-2035 as the Decade of Sustainable Transport. The authors of the resolution invited the UN Secretary-General to continue international dialogue in this area and consider convening the Third UN Global Conference on Sustainable Transport. According to the document, the main events within the framework of the World Sustainable Transport Day in November 2024 will take place in Turkmenistan. The document on energy connectivity, meanwhile, provides for the consolidation of efforts by the international community to overcome the energy crisis facing the world, and calls for efforts to ensure the reliability and stability of cross-border supplies of energy resources. According to this document, it was proposed that the forum, “Sustainable Energy for All,” aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals to ensure access to reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, be held in Turkmenistan in 2026.

International Affairs Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan

President Sends Condolences Following Terrorist Attack in Iran

President Sadyr Japarov has expressed his sincere condolences to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi following the terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan categorically condemns terrorism in all its manifestations, which threatens general peace and stability. “I received with deep regret the sad news that as a result of the terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, innocent people were killed and injured. On behalf of the Kyrgyz people and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the brotherly people of Iran. I share the pain of this irreparable loss. I wish a speedy recovery to all those affected," his telegram stated. As a result of the explosions which occurred during commemorative marches in honor of the fourth anniversary of the death of General Qassem Soleimani, according to the latest media reports 103 people were killed and 211 injured. Two bags containing explosives were placed at the entrance to the Gulzar mausoleum, which were most likely detonated using a remote device. In response to the attack, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, promised harsh retribution for the perpetrators and organizers. The Iranian Government declared January 4th a National Day of Mourning, and President Raisi postponed a planned visit to Turkey, saying that all those responsible would be found and punished accordingly.

International Affairs Business & Economy Kazakhstan Kazakhstan International Affairs Kazakhstan Business & Economy Features Kazakhstan Featurees

President of Kazakhstan Outlines Vision for Country’s Development

In an interview with the newspaper, Egemen Qazaqstan, President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about political reforms in Kazakhstan, the country’s economic course, plans for the construction of a nuclear power plant, relations with China, and whether he will participate in the next presidential election. Tokayev said he believes that 2023 was full of significant events for Kazakhstan, including the completion of major political reforms, the establishment of the Constitutional Court, the holding of elections of deputies to the Mazhilis (parliament) and Maslikhats (local councils) at all levels according to new rules, and the first ever elections of akims (mayors) to districts and cities of regional significance. Kazakhstan has begun to build a fair and competitive economic system, Tokayev said, diversifying and demonopolizing the economy, updating infrastructure, supporting business, and attracting investment. In Tokayev’s words, Kazakhstan will continue with a constructive and balanced foreign policy; in 2024, the country will chair several authoritative international organizations: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the Organization of Turkic States, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and the Islamic Organization for Food Security. This year, Kazakhstan will also host the World Nomad Games. Asked about the country’s new economic course for a Fair and Just Kazakhstan and the goal of doubling the size of the economy to $450 billion by 2029, Tokayev said it is completely achievable. “According to analysts from the International Monetary Fund, by the end of 2023, GDP in Kazakhstan should be over $259 billion, which is 15% more than in 2022. This is the most significant nominal growth in Central Asia. Positive dynamics are also registered in GDP per capita. According to the IMF forecast, by 2028 this figure will increase by a third – up to $16,800.” The President explained his position vis-à-vis plans for the construction of a nuclear power plant, saying that he pays special attention to the issue given that Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer and generates its own nuclear fuel. “As many in Kazakhstan are critical of the construction of nuclear power plants given the tragic consequences of tests at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, I proposed submitting the issue to a national referendum,” Tokayev said. “Citizens must consider and discuss all the experts’ arguments in order to make a balanced, thoughtful decision during the free expression of their will. This will be the decision of the people.” Commenting on relations with China, the President said that today, relations between Kazakhstan and China are developing in the spirit of friendship, neighborliness, and strategic partnership. Kazakhstan firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, Tokayev stated, emphasizing the unprecedented growth of bilateral trade, which reached $24.3 billion from January-October 2023. China is also one of the largest investors in the Kazakhstan, with direct Chinese investment having reached $24 billion. The common border with China and favorable geographical position of Kazakhstan as a bridge between the East and West opens up broad prospects for...