Page 266 – The Times Of Central Asia

22 May 2025

Cultural Heritage, Central Asia, Home, International Affairs

The Turkic World in the Heart of Europe: OTS Leaders Discuss Economy, Transport, and Unity

August 1, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

On May 21, 2025, an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened in Budapest, uniting leaders of member countries and observers in the symbolic heart of Europe. The heads of Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, along with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, discussed key areas of cooperation, including the economy, transport, digitalization, and adherence to international agreements. The summit was held under the motto “Meeting Place of East and West.”

Tokayev: Uniform Standards Could Boost GDP by 1% Annually

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for deeper economic integration among Turkic states and advocated for the rapid adoption of a model law to streamline exports among OTS members. “Uniform standards will ensure annual GDP growth of about 1%,” Tokayev said, highlighting that the collective GDP of OTS countries stands at approximately $1.4 trillion, with mutual trade already exceeding $22 billion. According to him, the potential exists to increase this figure by 1.5 times.

Tokayev also stressed the importance of respecting existing agreements within the OTS framework. “The norms established in all agreements, whether procedural, political, or economic, must be strictly observed,” he said. He proposed intensifying joint infrastructure projects, particularly those aligned with the North-South and Middle Corridor transport routes connecting East and West. Kazakhstan, he noted, is modernizing border logistics with China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, including launching a new railway checkpoint.

In addition, Tokayev highlighted the need to expand supply chains for oil, gas, uranium, and other resources. He thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for facilitating increased Kazakh oil exports to Europe via Azerbaijan.

Unity and Vision from Member States

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov described the summit as laying a “solid foundation for sustainable development,” linking it to the November 2023 summit in Bishkek. President Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s emerging role as a Eurasian logistics hub, stating that Baku has invested over $20 billion in the economies of OTS member states.

An important development was the announcement that the Turkic Investment Fund, intended to foster economic cohesion, will begin operations soon.

Several key documents were adopted at the summit, including the Budapest Declaration, a statement by the Council of Heads of State on Afghanistan, the decision on Uzbekistan’s accession to the Turkic Culture and Heritage Fund, and the extension of Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev’s mandate.

The Hungarian Dimension and Cultural Ties

Hosting the summit for the first time, Hungary underscored its unique position as an OTS observer. Prime Minister Orbán, who promotes the notion of Turkic roots among Hungarians, has championed closer ties with the Turkic world. Kyrgyz historian Tyntchtykbek Chorotegin pointed out that Hungarian shares structural and grammatical features with Turkic languages, such as suffixation and the absence of prefixes.

Cultural similarities extend beyond linguistics. Nomadic traditions persist in both regions, evident in culinary parallels like goulash and kuurdaq, shared housing styles, equestrian practices, and enthusiasm for folk games. European athletes’ growing participation in the World Nomad Games further illustrates strengthening cultural bonds.

The Budapest summit was more than a diplomatic gathering; it marked a significant milestone in the maturation of the OTS, showcasing the bloc’s readiness for deeper integration and its strategic orientation between East and West.

22 May 2025

Central Asia, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyz Authorities Announce Crackdown on Illegal Migration

May 22, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

On June 10, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) will launch a nationwide campaign titled Operation Illegal, aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented migrants. The initiative will involve joint efforts by the GKNB and other law enforcement agencies, with a focus on conducting mass checks of foreign nationals residing in the country.

The operation comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreigners entering Kyrgyzstan in recent months. Speaking at a law enforcement coordination meeting, GKNB Chairman Kamchibek Tashiev outlined the scale of the influx: “Since the beginning of the year, 61,000 tourists, 30,000 foreign students, and 12,000 officially registered migrant workers have arrived in Kyrgyzstan. An additional 10,000 have entered for family, religious, or business purposes. The number of illegal migrants is estimated to exceed 5,000.”

Tashiev stressed that Kyrgyzstan’s simplified entry procedures are being exploited, with some foreigners misrepresenting the purpose of their stay. “Under the guise of tourism or education, some individuals are engaging in unauthorized labor activities,” he said. He also noted that host organizations, such as universities or private companies, often lose track of those they invite, leaving many foreign citizens to remain in the country with expired visas.

“This vulnerability can lead to a range of social issues,” Tashiev warned. “We are increasingly seeing cases of alcohol and drug abuse, breaches of public order, and even disrespect toward local customs and culture.”

Under Operation Illegal, authorities will carry out raids to verify the legal status of all foreign nationals. By June 10, all non-citizens must be able to prove their right to remain in Kyrgyzstan or prepare to leave. The government has allocated 280 million Kyrgyz soms (approximately $3.2 million) to fund deportation efforts.

22 May 2025

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Stricter Controls on Cryptocurrency Market

May 22, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Olzhas Kuspekov, a member of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (the lower house of parliament), has proposed tightening government regulation of cryptocurrency circulation and blocking access to unlicensed crypto exchange websites and mobile applications.

Currently, cryptocurrency transactions in Kazakhstan are only permitted through licensed platforms operating under the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). However, Kuspekov stated that in practice, these exchanges accounted for less than 14% of the country’s total crypto transactions in 2023. Citing data from U.S.-based blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, he said the illegal segment of Kazakhstan’s crypto market reached $3.5 billion last year out of a total market volume of $4.1 billion.

In a parliamentary inquiry addressed to the chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, Kuspekov expressed concern that unlicensed exchanges continue to operate openly. “Their applications remain available on the AppStore and PlayMarket, and they are widely advertised on social media,” he said. He called on the National Bank to initiate blocking of these digital platforms.

Kuspekov also urged the government to audit money transfers and enhance internal controls among commercial banks to ensure compliance with cryptocurrency legislation. “Some banks are servicing crypto transactions that fall outside the legal framework. According to the Financial Monitoring Agency, more than KZT 4.2 billion ($8.2 million) in transactions were processed through accounts at ten financial institutions. In most cases, internal compliance mechanisms were not applied,” he stated.

The lawmaker further warned of a growing trend among young Kazakhs becoming involved in the gray market, influenced by bloggers and self-styled financial “coaches.” As a countermeasure, he proposed the establishment of a state digital reserve, under the National Bank, for storing seized crypto assets.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, other deputies from the Ak Zhol faction have also called for the creation of a national cryptocurrency bank to further formalize and regulate the digital asset economy in Kazakhstan.

21 May 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

May 22, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

When American President Donald Trump announced a freeze and overhaul of his country’s foreign aid in early 2025, the move sparked concern across Central Asia. For more than three decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had been a key contributor to development in the region, supporting education, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Support for Weaker Economies

USAID’s role was particularly critical in economically vulnerable countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Its sudden withdrawal now leaves local governments scrambling to compensate with limited domestic resources.

The cuts have not been uniform, but the overall impact has been profound. According to the Center for Global Development, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan lost 78 percent and 69 percent of their USAID-backed programs, respectively. In Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, nearly all aid programs were discontinued.

Foreign aid to the region has often reflected shifting geopolitical dynamics. In Uzbekistan, for example, support surged from $6 million to $40 million in 2016 following President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s rise to power. Kyrgyzstan received $75 million in 2010 amid negotiations over the U.S. military base there. In contrast, aid to Turkmenistan fell to just $2.8 million by 2024.

Limited Time to Adjust

While Kazakhstan’s more robust economy allowed for a gradual reduction in U.S. assistance, American companies remain active in its vital oil sector. Yet the abrupt nature of the broader aid pullback has disrupted numerous projects with little warning. Health and education initiatives were halted, as were efforts to bolster trade and cross-border infrastructure, critical for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as they seek to deepen global economic ties.

Environmental initiatives also suffered. With Central Asia especially vulnerable to climate change, USAID had funded resilience-building programs focused on water access and renewable energy. These efforts have largely ceased, raising concerns among farmers and local communities who had come to rely on them.

Civil Society Under Strain

Some governments in the region may quietly welcome the cuts, particularly those wary of foreign-backed NGOs. USAID frequently partnered with local civil society organizations and media outlets, entities that Central Asian authorities often view with suspicion. The loss of U.S. support has left these groups increasingly exposed to state pressure.

Tajikistan offers a telling case. In 2020, USAID partnered with the Aga Khan Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic. But two years later, following unrest in the country’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, the government launched a crackdown on the foundation. This underscores how some aid programs, especially those linked to civil society, are perceived as threats.

Although USAID did not operate programs directly, its funding empowered local partners. With that backing gone, and less pressure from Washington, several Central Asian governments have tightened their control over independent organizations.

Seeking Alternatives

Replacing USAID’s role will not be easy. The European Union and countries such as France and Germany have long supported development in Central Asia, but their resources are stretched, especially with increased attention and funding directed toward Ukraine. Despite EU pledges of investment via the Global Gateway initiative, support for democracy, civil society, and human rights appears to be deprioritized.

China and Russia continue to provide aid in the region, but their assistance aligns with different values. Their programs rarely promote media freedom, gender equality, or civil society empowerment. While state actors may welcome this model, independent activists often view it with skepticism.

In Uzbekistan, this dynamic has contributed to the emergence of government-organized NGOs, which serve a controlled function in international cooperation. Critics argue this approach weakens efforts to foster an open and resilient civil society.

With USAID largely absent, Central Asia must now navigate a complex development landscape, balancing state control with the aspirations of its people.

Read more of The Times of Central Asia’s coverage on the demise of USAID funding in our special reports.

21 May 2025

Home, Tajikistan International Affairs, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Features, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Features, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Russia: Thousands of Central Asia-Born Russians Sent to Ukraine Front Line

May 21, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

A senior Russian official has said that thousands of migrants from Central Asia who became Russian citizens were sent to fight in Ukraine after they tried to dodge conscription.

“Our military investigations directorate conducts regular raids,” Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, said on Tuesday in remarks that were reported by the Russian state-run TASS news agency.

“So far, we’ve tracked down 80,000 such Russian citizens who didn’t just avoid the front lines — they wouldn’t even show up at military enlistment offices. We’ve registered them for military service, and about 20,000 of these ‘new’ Russian citizens, who for some reason no longer want to live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or Kyrgyzstan, are now on the front lines,” Bastrykin said at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.

Bastrykin’s comments contributed a piece to the often murky picture of the involvement of people from Central Asia in Russia’s war effort in Ukraine in the last three years. In addition to conscription measures, Russia has also sought to replenish its ranks by offering contracts and other incentives to foreigners willing to fight.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are among Central Asian countries that ban their nationals from fighting in foreign conflicts and there have been several high-profile prosecutions of citizens who fought for Russia and returned home. It is a sensitive political matter in Central Asia, a region that seeks to project neutrality in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Kazakhstan has said it is reviewing a report by a Ukrainian institution that said about 661 Kazakh citizens have fought for Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The I Want To Live center, which is run by the Ukrainian security services and assists with surrender requests from soldiers fighting for Russia, published a list of what it said were the Kazakh nationals. Of the 661, at least 78 have been killed, according to the center. Without providing details, it said it received the list from its own sources within the Russian military.

Uzbekistan is conducting a similar investigation based on data from the Ukrainian group.

21 May 2025

Cultural Heritage, Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Features

Uzbekistan Plans to Restore Khiva’s Outer Fortress, Draw Tourists

May 21, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

The walls of Dishan-Kala, the remnants of a 19th century fortress in the Uzbek city of Khiva, have been deteriorating for many years. Now the Uzbek government plans to restore destroyed sections of the walls, remove some nearby buildings that are cluttering the historical structure and turn the site into a major tourist attraction.

The goal is to transform Dishan-Kala, the outer fortress, into a landmark similar to Ichan-Kala, the walled inner town at Khiva that is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to multiple cultural sites, exhibition sites and artisan shops. Some 1 million foreign tourists and 3.5 million local people visited Ichan-Kala in 2024, and it is expected to draw 2 million foreigners and nearly 5 million domestic tourists by the end of this year, the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change said in a statement on Tuesday.

The new development campaign aims “not only to preserve Dishan-Kala but also to unlock and enhance its full tourism potential,” the ministry said.

Uzbekistan’s growing tourism industry depends in large part on its rich historical legacy in places such as Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, but the development of the industry has sometimes conflicted with concerns about the preservation of ancient sites. Last year, despite UNESCO’s concerns, Uzbekistan pushed ahead with plans for a big tourist complex next to the historical center of Bukhara, a jewel of medieval architecture in Central Asia.

In 2021, UNESCO’s world heritage committee referred to development and tourism pressures in Khiva. It also said it regretted the demolition of large areas of Dishan-Kala, noting that it had served as the residential neighborhood for the fortified inner city and that the links between the two parts of ancient Khiva should be strengthened.

Built in 1842, the fortress walls of Dishan-Kala are currently in a state of neglect. Some 2,000 meters of its 6,200-meter wall have been destroyed, and another 2,500 meters are in “critical condition,” the ecology ministry said.

“For many years, illegal constructions sprang up around the wall, leaving virtually no space for access or movement along its perimeter,” it said.

Photos of Dishan-Kala show trash and piles of debris alongside crumbling walls, in contrast with the well-maintained Ichan-Kala area. The plan is to remove 55 residential and other buildings near the Dishan-Kala walls and install parks, landscaping and a pedestrian alley.