ASHGABAT (TCA) — Following a decision of Federica Mogherini, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, the European Union will open a Delegation in Turkmenistan. This will take the number of EU Delegations around the world to 141 in total, the European Union External Action Service said on November 23.

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: “Fast changing regional dynamics and the growing importance of sustainable connectivity between Europe and Asia bring Central Asia to the centre of our attention. Countries in the region, especially Turkmenistan, are increasingly looking to the EU as a reliable partner for reforms, modernisation and to face the global challenges of today. And the European Union is keen as well to strengthen its cooperation with the region. By opening a new Delegation, we are responding positively to this demand and sending a strong signal to the Turkmen and European citizens about our engagement.”

The establishment of a new Delegation in Ashgabat will enable the European Union to step up political, economic and sectoral dialogue and cooperation with Turkmenistan. The decision reflects the EU’s wish to fully engage with Turkmenistan in areas of strategic interest such as security, human rights, energy, climate, and the rule of law.

The decision by the High Representative/Vice-President follows the agreement of the Commission and the Council of the European Union and will be implemented in the course of 2019.

TASHKENT (TCA) — In a significant step forward for relations between the European Union and Uzbekistan, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov, on November 23 launched negotiations for a new, comprehensive bilateral agreement.

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ASTANA (TCA) — Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev paid an official visit to China on November 22. In Beijing, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping received the Kazakh Prime Minister. Sagintayev also held a meeting with Premier of the State Council of China Li Keqiang, as well as a number of meetings with heads of major Chinese companies, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.

During the intergovernmental talks with Premier of the PRC State Council Li Keqiang, the parties discussed further strengthening and deepening bilateral trade and economic, transport and logistics, infrastructure, industrial and innovative cooperation, as well as prospects for expanding cooperation in the areas of investment, digitalization, industry, metallurgy and mechanical engineering, energy and tourism.

Sagintayev invited Chinese companies to actively work with the Astana International Financial Center, where the new exchange infrastructure had been launched, and to participate in the privatization program.

In Beijing the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan also held a number of bilateral meetings with representatives of the largest innovative companies on cooperation and implementation of joint projects for technological re-equipment of the Kazakh economy, development of construction, agriculture and metallurgy.

During the official visit to Beijing, the following Kazakh-Chinese intergovernmental and commercial agreements were signed:

– Memorandum of Understanding on Production of Electrolytic Manganese in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda Region between the Akimat (administration) of the Karaganda region, Kazakh Invest NC and Horgos Xingbang;
– Memorandum of Understanding for Implementation of Synthetic Paraffin Production Project between JSC Condensate, Kazakh Invest NC and CITIC Construction;
– Agreement on Cooperation on the Project to Create Mining, Chemical and Metallurgical Complex based on the Tymlay field in Kazakhstan between TENIR Logistic LLP and Youbang Innovative Investment Limited;
– Agreement on Joint Implementation of Wind Power Plant Construction Project in the Akmola region between Zhel Electric LLP and Universal Energy Ltd.;
– Memorandum of Understanding on the Sugar Beet Processing Plant Construction Project between JSC Pavlodar and CNOOD Asia Limited;
– Agreement on Cooperation for Implementation of the Project for the Development of Tungsten Deposits “Northern Katpar” and “Upper Kairakinskoye” between the Akimat of Karaganda region, JSC Tau-Ken Samuryk NC and Xiamen Tungsten;
– Agreement on Basic Transaction Terms on the Project for the Construction of an Ammonium Paratungstate plant in the Karaganda region between JSC Tau-Ken Samuryk and Xiamen Tungsten.

KABUL (TCA) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on November 22 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a series of energy projects, which will help Afghanistan enhance energy security and efficiency, boost energy supply, and strengthen the country’s cross-border trade in energy, ADB’s Country Office said.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — Austria, the chief of the rotating European Union presidency, says the “overall human rights situation” in Uzbekistan has shown improvement in the last two years, RFE/RL reported.

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DUSHANBE (TCA) — Tajikistan’s top diplomat says 25 people have been killed in a recent prison riot in the city of Khujand in the first public comment by Tajik authorities about the violence in the country’s north, RFE/RL reported.

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