BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week.

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ASTANA (TCA) — The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Italy’s Eni and Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunaiGas (KMG) on December 21 signed an agreement to transfer to Eni 50 percent of the subsoil use rights of the Isatay block, located in the Caspian Sea, for exploration and production of hydrocarbons.

The agreement expands the scope of Eni’s activities in Kazakhstan and consolidates the strategic alliance with its key partner KazMunaiGas, the Italian company said on December 22.

The block is estimated to have significant potential for hydrocarbon resources, which are geologically not complex and technologically developable in short time.

The signing of this transaction marks the beginning of the operations of the new Joint Company, in which Eni will leverage its proprietary technologies, its leadership in exploration and its extensive experience in challenging technical and environmental areas such as the Caspian Basin, Eni said.

In Kazakhstan, Eni is joint operator of the Karachaganak field with a 29.25% stake, and is an equity partner in various projects in the Northern Caspian Sea, including the giant Kashagan field with a 16.81% stake.

Eni is a multinational Oil & Gas company, considered one of the global supermajors, it has operations in 73 countries, with a market capitalisation of US $55 billion, as of June 30, 2017. Eni constantly ranks among the top 100 on Fortune Global 500 list for largest companies by revenue.

TASHKENT (TCA) — Speaking in an end-of-year address to parliament on December 22, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoev vowed to pursue reforms and called on Uzbek government officials to improve communications with ordinary people, RFE/RL reported.

Mirziyoev, who was elected president in December 2016, has sought to implement economic and social reforms, decrease Uzbekistan’s isolation, and improve ties with regional neighbors. In the speech, he claimed have made progress and promised more.

“The first results of the large-scale reforms implemented in 2017 are reflected in our people’s everyday lives. They woke up social activity among them and strengthened their confidence in tomorrow,” Mirziyoev said in the speech, which was attended by foreign diplomats and watched by regional officials and civic group leaders via video link.

Mirziyoev stressed the importance of democratic reforms in the country, saying that the functions of the state and government structures must be based on democratic principles.

He condemned officials, not mentioning names, who use vulgar words when talking to their subordinates or ordinary citizens.

“Governors of three districts cannot speak to the people. Who gave them the right to insult people? That shows their ignorance and illiteracy,” he said, referring to recent media reports that carried videos of local authorities beating and insulting people.

Mirziyoev said the government has to focus on more reforms in the judicial, economic, education, science, and social spheres.

He declared 2018 “the year of support of active entrepreneurship, innovative ideas, and technologies” and said that 2017 has been the “the year of the dialogue between the government and ordinary people.”

Mirziyoev also said that inspections of private businesses must be stopped in order to support small and medium-sized businesses in the country.

“If we stop lying to ourselves, if we sincerely want our country to prosper, our people to be proud members of society, and our children to be happy and looking to a bright future, we, all together, will be able to achieve a lot,” Mirziyoev said at end of his address.

ASHGABAT (TCA) — The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan is sponsoring a fourth and final trip by four musicians from the United States to work with the Turkmen National Conservatory, culminating in a joint concert on December 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre. The concert will feature American classics, holiday music, and Turkmen orchestral pieces. Concert admission is free and open to everyone, the Embassy said.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — Uzbekistan is taking efforts to restore a single energy ring with its Central Asian neighbors Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, with a possible extension to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan’s official information agency Jahon reports.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — Improved nutrition, reductions in rural poverty, sustainable management of Kyrgyzstan’s natural resources, and adapting to climate change are central themes in the country’s new cooperation agreement with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

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