ASHGABAT (TCA) — In his video-call greeting the participants of the International Energy Charter Forum “Towards a Multilateral Framework Agreement on Transit of Energy Resources” held in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat on May 30-31, Vice-President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic expressed firm confidence that Caspian and Central Asian Region and the European Union would shortly develop beneficial cooperation in different spheres including the energy, and that the negotiations and continuous efforts in provision of Turkmen gas supplies to European markets indicate strong partnership and cooperation, Turkmen state media reported.

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DUSHANBE (TCA) — Russian special forces are carrying out military drills in Tajikistan on the Afghan-Tajik border, searching for simulated outlawed armed groups as part of the exercises, Sputnik news agency quoted Yaroslav Roshchupkin, the spokesman of Russian Central Military District, as saying on May 30.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — Tashkent last week hosted the International Exhibition and Conference ‘Oil and Gas of Uzbekistan’, which brought together 178 companies from 28 countries. The event resulted in the signing of five bilateral documents on the establishment of a joint enterprise, study of opportunities of expanding hydrocarbon extraction, upgrade of production capacities, and other projects, the Jahon information agency reported.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — The Prosecutor-General’s Office in Kyrgyzstan said it has opened a criminal case against two members of the Kyrgyz parliament from Bir Bol faction — former Prime Minister Igor Chudinov and former Economy and Trade Minister Akylbek Japarov, on charges of corruption.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — As Russia and China increase their economic and military influence in Central Asia, the new US administration is planning a significant cut to US aid programs in the region — a move regarded as shortsighted for Washington. We are republishing this article by Joshua Kucera on the issue, originally published by EurasiaNet.org:

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BISHKEK (TCA) — This year the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), based in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat, marks its 10th anniversary. In his interview with Uzbekistan’s Jahon information agency, Petko Draganov, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UNRCCA head, said that the Center has provided a platform for Central Asian governments for dialogue on the most complex regional issues, including trans-boundary water use, countering security threats, strengthening stability, and developing regional cooperation.

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