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Russian Foreign Ministry Responds to Turkmen Displeasure Over ‘Second Turkmenbashi’ Article

The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement following a controversial article in Nezavisimaya Gazeta that drew criticism from the Turkmen leadership. On January 12, the newspaper published an article titled "Neutrality Turned Out to Be an Excuse for Strengthening the Personality Cult of the 'Second Turkmenbashi.'" The piece compared former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, who was the subject of a personality cult during his rule over Turkmenistan from 1985 to his death in 2006. Niyazov often called himself "Turkmenbashi" (father of the Turkmen). The Nezavisimaya Gazeta article quoted Arkady Dubnov, an expert on post-Soviet affairs, in relation to a meeting of the Organizing Committee for the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality. During the event, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov reportedly referred to Berdimuhamedov as the “father of the nation.” Dubnov, a critic of authoritarian regimes, remarked that the event symbolized “the birth of another father of the nation on the ruins of the USSR.” The article was subsequently removed from Nezavisimaya Gazeta's website, but not before it provoked discontent in Ashgabat. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a clarification. In a statement on its official website, the ministry emphasized that "The assessments given in the article have nothing in common with the official position of Russia and do not reflect the high status of ties between our friendly countries." This incident highlights a pattern in which the Russian Foreign Ministry has distanced itself from media outlets over publications that anger foreign governments. Similar cases have occurred in the past, underscoring the delicate balancing act Moscow maintains with its partners in post-Soviet space.

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How Orthodox Christmas Is Celebrated in Central Asia

Orthodox Christmas, observed on January 7, holds a significant place in Central Asia, even in predominantly Muslim countries such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This article explores how the holiday is celebrated in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Kazakhstan Orthodox Christmas in Kazakhstan is a public holiday, alongside the Muslim celebration of Kurban-Ayt (Eid al-Adha). This recognition stems from the efforts of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who proposed in 2005 during the XI session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan to declare both holidays as non-working days. Despite opposition from the Constitutional Court, which cited the country's secular constitution, members of the parliamentary faction Asar, led by Nazarbayev's daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva, and the presidential party Otan amended the Labor Code to accommodate these holidays. Since then, Orthodox Christmas and Kurban-Ayt have been official holidays. Celebrations in major cities include festive liturgies. In Almaty, the Ascension Cathedral holds a service beginning at 11pm on January 6, followed by a midnight procession. In Astana, the Assumption Cathedral similarly hosts a midnight service. For those unable to attend, events from the Assumption Cathedral are live-streamed on the YouTube channel “Live Broadcasts of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.” Uzbekistan Orthodox Christians comprise 4-5% of Uzbekistan’s population of over 37.5 million. Uzbekistan is part of the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese under the Russian Orthodox Church. The Cathedral of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tashkent is the focal point of Christmas celebrations. Services begin at 11.30pm on January 6 and end at 3.30am. To ensure maximum participation, the cathedral holds five separate liturgies. Metropolitan Vikenty of the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese explains, “Traditionally, the liturgy was held at night because the Nativity of Christ took place at night. But not everyone can attend a night service, so we perform several liturgies.” Kyrgyzstan Approximately 350,000 Orthodox Christians live in Kyrgyzstan, according to Bishop Daniel of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan. The country is part of the Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. January 7 is a public holiday in Kyrgyzstan, aligning with the extended New Year vacations, which last from January 1 to 7. Festive services are held at the Resurrection Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Prince Vladimir in Bishkek. Tajikistan In Tajikistan, the Orthodox Christian community numbers around 80,000, or 1.2% of the population, though regular church attendance is much smaller. The country is under the jurisdiction of the Dushanbe Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Christmas services are held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe, beginning at 11pm on January 6 and lasting about three hours. The diocese oversees six churches in Tajikistan, served by five priests. Turkmenistan As of 2019, Turkmenistan’s Orthodox Christian population is about 485,000, or 9% of the total population. All Orthodox parishes are under the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church, established in 2007. Services on Christmas Eve and January 6 are conducted in all 12 Orthodox churches in Turkmenistan, adhering strictly to church traditions. According to Archpriest John, dean of...

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Central Asia Attracted $24.8 billion in Investments in 2024

Despite global economic challenges, Central Asia has experienced growth in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), investment in the region increased by 27%, reaching $24.8 billion in 2024. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have become the main centers of attraction for capital, offering investors significant opportunities in the energy sector and green technologies. Uzbekistan attracted $4 billion in foreign investment, reflecting a 49% year-on-year decline. However, the country is actively developing sustainable environmental projects. South Korea’s Western Power plans to build a $152 million biofuel plant in Fergana region. The plant will process cotton stalks to heat greenhouses, which will replace coal and reduce emissions by 120,000 tons of CO2 over 10 years. This project reflects Uzbekistan's policy of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and introducing “green” technologies. Kazakhstan maintained its position as the regional leader in attracting investment, accounting for 63% of Central Asia's total FDI. The country increased its investment inflow by 88%, reaching $15.7 billion. An important role was played by Qatari company UCC Holding, which invested $11 billion in the construction of two gas processing plants, a compressor station, and new main gas pipelines. These projects strengthen Kazakhstan's role as a key energy hub in the region. Kyrgyzstan recorded the highest relative growth in investment, increasing by 310% to $2.1 billion. Turkmenistan and Tajikistan received $339 million and $281 million, respectively. As for outgoing investments, their volume from the region decreased by 58% to $2.3 billion. Russia remains the primary source of outgoing investments, accounting for 90% ($2.1 billion). Georgia invested $105 million, Azerbaijan $76 million, and Kazakhstan $47 million.

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Turkmen Authorities Prevent Turkmen-Turkish Family Reunifications

Turkish citizens have reported difficulties faced by their wives, citizens of Turkmenistan, who have been banned from leaving the country after renewing their passports. Women who returned to Turkmenistan to apply for new passports have been denied exit at Ashgabat airport. Authorities cited violations of the “legislation of the country of stay,” referencing paragraph 9 of part 1 of Article 30 of Turkmenistan’s Law On Migration. This law prohibits citizens who have previously violated the laws of the country of stay from leaving Turkmenistan for five years. However, no explanation has been provided for why this regulation applies to the affected women. Turkish spouses insist their wives did not violate any laws abroad and were legally residing in Turkey. Arslan Rustem, a Turkish citizen, shared his experience: “I married a Turkmen citizen in July 2022. My wife was legally living in Turkey, but when her passport expired, she returned to Turkmenistan to replace it. After receiving a new document, she was not allowed to leave.” Rustem emphasized that there were no legal issues with their marriage or residency. Similarly, Mahmut Uchar encountered the same problem. He was advised by the Turkmen Consulate in Istanbul that his wife must travel to Turkmenistan to renew her passport after changing her surname. “We were assured the entire process would take no more than a month. But a year later, my wife is still unable to return to Turkey,” he explained. This predicament has impacted dozens of families. Women have filed complaints with various government agencies in Turkmenistan, including the Presidential Administration, but no resolution has been provided. Appeals from Turkish organizations advocating for family reunification have also gone unanswered. The Migration Service of Turkmenistan has not commented on the legal basis for applying the travel restriction. Husbands of the affected women have expressed confusion and frustration, believing that these actions infringe upon their families’ rights. Turkmenistan frequently restricts its citizens’ travel abroad for a variety of reasons. These measures include travel bans on individuals with outstanding bank loans, parents of minor children, and citizens whose relatives have criminal records spanning three generations. Passports are often confiscated at airports until debts are paid in full. The government has also imposed restrictions following incidents involving Turkmen citizens abroad, citing security concerns. These policies have drawn criticism from human rights activists, who have called on Turkmen authorities to lift unwarranted restrictions on freedom of movement.

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Turkmenistan and U.S. Representatives Explore Prospects for Economic Partnership

A Turkmen-American business forum was held in Ashgabat to discuss opportunities for expanding economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United States. The event brought together a delegation of American business leaders led by Eric Stewart, Executive Director of the Turkmen-American Business Council. In their remarks, representatives from both sides emphasized the friendly and cooperative nature of Turkmen-American relations, reaffirming their commitment to deepening ties based on mutual benefit. Turkmenistan, focused on economic diversification and the adoption of advanced technologies, expressed readiness to support U.S. companies in establishing and expanding operations in the Turkmen market. It was highlighted that Turkmenistan offers favorable conditions for investors, including legal and organizational mechanisms to facilitate business activities. The U.S. delegation underscored the strong interest of leading American companies in the Turkmen market and their willingness to contribute to strategic programs aimed at regional development. Companies such as John Deere, Case, General Electric, Boeing, and others are already operating successfully in key sectors of the Turkmen economy. Discussions during the forum centered on priority areas of collaboration, including: Industry, agriculture, and water resources: Supplies of advanced equipment to boost productivity. Fuel and energy sector: Joint projects to advance energy infrastructure. Transportation and construction: Enhancing connectivity and infrastructure development. Innovative technologies, healthcare, and ecology: Promoting sustainable solutions and technological progress. Special attention was given to the role of the Turkmen-American Business Council as a key platform for fostering partnerships between public and private sectors in both countries. Meetings between Turkmen ministries and agencies and representatives of the U.S. business community took place as part of the forum. Discussions focused on opportunities to increase bilateral trade, expand investment activities, and enhance cooperation in high-tech industries. Participants outlined practical steps for implementing joint projects to further strengthen economic ties. Turkmen-American cooperation continues to develop across multiple sectors. Notable recent engagements include: February 2024: The U.S. State Department hosted talks with a Turkmen delegation led by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia, John Pommersheim, covering political, economic, and cultural cooperation. April 2024: Political consultations in Ashgabat reaffirmed mutual commitments to enhancing bilateral ties. August 2024: Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Gurbanov met with U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Rood to discuss future collaboration prospects. Both sides highlighted the importance of regular political consultations and multilateral platforms such as the C5+1 format for coordinating joint actions and fostering regional development.

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Turkmenistan Bans Students from Celebrating New Year’s Eve

Authorities in Turkmenistan have imposed strict measures preventing students and schoolchildren from celebrating New Year’s Eve, requiring them to sign written pledges to abstain from festivities. Students are prohibited from hosting or attending parties at home or in cafes and are barred from being outdoors during the celebration. “Students have been forced to write forms stating they will not celebrate New Year’s Eve and will return to their dormitories after attending official events,” a source revealed. Violations of the ban are met with threats of expulsion. According to reports, older students in previous years were expelled for secretly hosting parties, serving as a warning to others. Similar restrictions are being enforced in schools across Ashgabat, where festive parties have been banned following an order from the Ministry of Education. Teachers have been instructed to ensure compliance with these regulations. Paradoxically, official state media in Turkmenistan are showcasing large-scale New Year preparations, including the lighting of the “Main Christmas Tree of the Country” on December 14. Despite the visible holiday decorations, New Year celebrations remain tightly controlled. Last year, schools and kindergartens canceled New Year events, and state institutions were prohibited from installing Christmas trees. Local analysts attribute these stringent measures to the conservative policies of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Unlike his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who was known for extravagant celebrations and even personal performances at New Year’s events, Serdar has opted for a more restrained and controlled approach. The restrictions reflect the growing emphasis on regulation and conformity under Turkmenistan’s current leadership, casting a shadow over what was once a more festive and unifying holiday.