Page 504 – The Times Of Central Asia

07 Nov 2024

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Mirziyoyev Calls for Independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as Capital

November 28, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

Speaking at this week’s summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Bishkek, Uzbekistan’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has once again discussed the situation in the Middle East.

Mirziyoyev noted that global geopolitical processes have become increasingly complex since the start of the war in the region. The atmosphere of competition and mistrust between countries is intensifying, the hotbeds of conflict and war are increasing, and various dangers are growing.

“These problems are a severe obstacle to our joint plans and big projects in trade, investment, transport, energy, agriculture, and other fields; this is the truth,” Mirziyoyev said.

“It is, first and foremost, about the ongoing war in the Middle East and the double standards that we see. Nothing can justify the unprecedented humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and Lebanon, the devastating attacks against civilians, especially the death of innocent children, the elderly, and women. We strongly condemn the actions aimed at restricting the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

The only solution to this long-standing conflict is the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, by international regulations and resolutions,” noted Mirziyoyev.

He hoped the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh next week would find a clear political solution to this problem.

He also highlighted the importance of Afghanistan’s stability: “When it comes to security, we believe Afghanistan should always be at the focus of our Organization. In this regard, it is crucial to establish a regular dialogue mechanism at the ministerial and expert levels.
We believe that the issues of providing support to de facto authorities in addressing acute problems in Afghanistan, integrating this country into regional economic processes, and implementing social and infrastructure projects should be considered.”

07 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Von der Leyen Affirms EU’s Commitment to Uzbekistan

November 7, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

On November 6, the European-Uzbekistan Economic Cooperation Association opened the European Economic Days 2024 in Tashkent. At the ceremony, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a video message to the event participants expressing her support for Uzbekistan’s efforts to restore its central position on Asian and world trade routes.

More than 300 representatives from Uzbek and European governments and business sectors participated. Von der Leyen highlighted three main areas of cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan, which have grown significantly in recent years.

She began by emphasizing Uzbekistan’s historical role as a “beating heart” of global trade. “For centuries, European merchants traveled to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva for clothing and ceramics,” she said, recalling the stories these merchants would bring back of Uzbekistan’s palaces, landscapes, and vibrant culture. She noted that Uzbekistan seeks to open to the world once again.

Her first example of collaboration focused on trade: “Since 2021, we opened the European market to Uzbek goods, and exports, especially in textiles and metallurgy, have rapidly increased,” she said, adding that there is still vast growth potential.

Von der Leyen then turned to investment, mentioning the EU’s Global Gateway program, which supports Uzbekistan’s goal of global connectivity. She highlighted the EU’s investment of up to 10 billion euros, alongside international partners, in the Trans-Caspian Corridor—the shortest, safest route from Europe to East Asia, connecting Central Asia and Europe in less than 15 days. Additionally, she noted efforts to connect Uzbekistan to the EU satellite network to bring advanced digital communications to even the country’s most remote areas.

Her final example centered on expanding EU cooperation in Uzbekistan’s strategic sectors. She referenced an agreement signed in April 2024 to bolster supply chains for critical minerals, a project that aims to create jobs and add value locally. “While some global investors focus solely on raw material extraction, that’s not us,” she emphasized, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to supporting domestic industry, job creation, and value-added production in line with high standards.

Concluding her speech, Von der Leyen expressed hope that the forum would establish effective cooperation, new business opportunities, and strong relations between Europe and Uzbekistan. She also announced plans for the first-ever “Central Asia—EU” summit in Samarkand next year, marking another step in the region’s evolving relationship with the EU.

07 Nov 2024

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Kazakhstan Grasslands Project Wins Environmental Prize Backed by Prince William

November 7, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, a group dedicated to restoring and protecting Kazakhstan’s grasslands and wildlife, is one of several winners of a prize launched by Britain’s Prince William in 2020 to highlight solutions to the world’s environmental challenges.

The group is among five 2024 Earthshot Prize winners that will receive 1 million British pounds each to continue and expand their work. The British royal praised the winners at an awards ceremony on Wednesday in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Altyn Dala group won the prize in the category for protecting and restoring nature. It has played a leading role in the recovery of the saiga antelope in recent years, marking a major conservation success in Central Asia that followed a devastating disease outbreak and fears that the species would become extinct.

The prize is “the result of years of patient, collaborative and effective partnership between government & NGOs, saving a unique species and ecosystem,” Kathy Leach, Britain’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, said on X.

This year, the Altyn Dala group was also involved in the transfer of several wild horses from European sanctuaries to the “Golden Steppe,” as the vast grasslands in Kazakhstan are known. The Przewalski’s horses is an endangered species that had been absent from the region for generations.

Founded in 2005, Altyn Dala is a joint project involving Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, Fauna & Flora, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

“Beyond Kazakhstan, due to the multiple problems facing temperate grasslands globally, Altyn Dala is collaborating with other major grassland initiatives in the Mongolian steppe, the American prairie, and Patagonian pampas regions,” Altyn Dala said in a statement. It said the prize would ensure that its own knowledge and experience would “benefit nature restoration across the globe.”

06 Nov 2024

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Tokayev and Macron Forge New Path for French Investments in Kazakhstan

November 15, 2024
By Dr. Robert M. Cutler

The Paris summit between Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and France’s President Emmanuel Macron was a significant event in their countries’ evolving bilateral relations. The high-level discussions were centered on deepening cooperation across trade, economic investment, cultural, and humanitarian issues. The talks have reaffirmed and broadened existing frameworks, foretokening robust and diversified collaboration.

The historical foundation of Kazakh-French relations, particularly in the economic sphere, has long been strong. French multinational corporations, such as TotalEnergies, have played significant roles in Kazakhstan’s major energy projects, including the Kashagan oil field. At the recently concluded summit, President Tokayev held meetings with prominent French business figures, seeking to enhance investment flows and economic partnerships across the renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

France recognizes Kazakhstan’s strategic significance in Central Asia and seeks to deepen the partnership, which also complements Europe’s generally expanding engagement with the region. The summit builds on a series of annual encounters that sustain the momentum in Kazakhstan–France relations. In November 2023, a year after President Tokayev’s trip to France in November 2022, President Macron made an official visit to Kazakhstan. This visit highlighted the shared interests between the two countries and underscored the importance of their growing cooperation.

The meeting not only strengthened political dialogue but also laid the groundwork for further economic, cultural, and technological collaboration, reflecting a commitment to long-term partnership. The regularity of summits between Kazakhstan and France, besides indicating the pragmatic nature of their relationship, speaks to the personal rapport between Tokayev and Macron. The sustained, high-level engagement indicates a mutual appreciation for reliable and constructive diplomacy.

The Paris summit continues the momentum and deepens the strategic significance of relations between Kazakhstan and France relations, as the new agreements demonstrate their common intention to leverage shared interests in pursuit of more comprehensive cooperation.

At the 2022 meetings, 25 economic agreements were signed amounting to a value of $3 billion, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If we include the agreements signed at the 2023 meetings, then the newest agreements bring the overall total to $6.4 billion. Bilateral trade reached $4 billion from January to August this year, representing a 44.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Kazakhstan’s exports to France for the same period rose by 45.2 percent to $2.7 billion for the first eight months of 2024. These exports were heavily concentrated in crude oil and uranium.

Just ahead of Tokayev’s visit to Paris, the city hosted the 13th meeting of the Kazakhstan–France Business Council. Twenty-four documents were signed there, worth $2 billion, which spanned the agro-industrial, information-technology, light industry, medicine and mining sectors, not to mention a continuing interest in the energy sector.

Kazakhstan’s proactive engagement, including its receptivity to French participation in the NPP consortium is in the line of the country’s balanced and pragmatic approach to international partnerships. For France, this partnership deepens its footprint in Central Asia while also promoting the policy goals of broader energy diversification and geopolitical influence. Kazakhstan represents 90 percent of France’s trade with Central Asia.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the discussions was the prospect of France’s inclusion in a consortium to construct Kazakhstan’s recent referendum in favor of constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that an international consortium should be established in the country for the NPP’s construction.

France’s Orano already has agreements with Kazakhstan for cooperation uranium production. Électricité de France (EDF) is the world’s largest NPP operator, recognized for its expertise in NPP management. Kazakhstan’s negotiations with Orano and EDF, with a view toward deciding their participation in the consortium, will get under way soon. Other countries mentioned in this context include China, Russia, and South Korea.

President Tokayev’s invitation to France to participate indexes Kazakhstan’s strategy of balancing diverse international partnerships. The move could also provide France with a foothold in a significant project that aligns with its expertise in nuclear energy and its geopolitical interests in Central Asia. This cooperation has the potential to extend beyond established sectors into new energy-development and infrastructure projects, as well as investment in innovation and digital technology. The growing bilateral partnership also emphasizes cultural and educational exchange.

A key topic anticipated for this summit is Kazakhstan’s evolving role as a neutral mediator in international conflicts. Given its track record in facilitating dialogues over the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict and earlier Syrian negotiations, Kazakhstan is a potential intermediary in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine crisis. For Kazakhstan to act as a diplomatic platform here would further heighten its prestige and profile as a stabilizing force in global affairs. It is not out of the question that such a meeting could be expanded with French support or coordination.

06 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Bakyt Baketayev: Organization of Turkic States Is About Investment, Not Politics

November 6, 2024
By Anton Chipegin

The 11th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which includes Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Hungary (as an observer), was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital.

Speaking with The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz political analyst Bakyt Baketayev noted that the OTS was initially created on a cultural and linguistic basis. However, the turbulent geopolitical situation in the world gave the organization impetus for its current development.

“The catalyst for the development of the OTS was the geopolitical situation and military-political events in the world. At the beginning of the organization’s work – in 2009 – the countries worked on cultural programs and common spiritual issues uniting Turkic peoples. Today, the members of the OTS already cooperate at the level of governments, ministries, and agencies and discuss economic issues,” Baketayev said.

Baketayev drew attention to the composition of the Organization of Turkic States. It includes countries representing different economic and political associations: NATO (Turkey), the European Union (Hungary), and the EAEU (Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan).

“We should not expect any big results from the OTS summit. There will be no common political statements – the countries are scattered geographically and have different interests. But from the economic point of view of trade development and investment development, concrete steps are quite possible,” Baketayev said.

The analyst is confident that the Organisation of Turkic States will help overcome problems related to hydropower and the lack of water resources in Central Asia. If the heads of state have common economic interests, they will be more likely to reach an agreement.

06 Nov 2024

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Central Asia Gears Up For Another Trump Term

November 6, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Leaders in Central Asia have congratulated Donald Trump on his election to another term as U.S. president, a development that governments in the region will watch closely for its impact on trade, geopolitical tensions and other priorities.

Central Asian governments generally seek to balance their relationships with the West alongside more entrenched ties to nearby Russia and China, and are likely to be sensitive to any disruption of the status quo as the United States transitions from the Biden administration to another Trump term. Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election on Tuesday, making an extraordinary political comeback and promising that he will deliver “the golden age of America.”

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a message of congratulations to Trump in which he reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to “deepening the strategic partnership” with the United States, Mirziyoyev’s press office said in a statement.

“In his letter, he emphasized shared goals for enhanced cooperation across trade, security, and regional stability, marking a new chapter” in relations between Uzbekistan and the United States, the statement said.

Last week, Uzbekistan wrapped up talks with the United States as part of its campaign to join the World Trade Organization by early 2026.

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan sent a similar message, according to media reports.

“I believe that your leadership experience and deep knowledge will create opportunities for further deepening of comprehensive cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the United States of America, based on the principles of mutual respect,” Japarov said.

In comments relayed to Trump, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev “expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation in the areas of security, nuclear non-proliferation, and investment would continue to develop consistently,” his office said. Tokayev wished Trump success in efforts to ensure “global stability and security.”

There is likely to be basic continuity on matters such as anti-terror cooperation and a stated commitment to trade relations between the U.S. and Central Asia. However, one area of uncertainty is Trump’s warning that he will intensify tariffs on U.S. imports of goods from China, a major economic player across Central Asia. That, in turn, could lead to major fallout for the global economy.

Another prominent question is whether Trump will push Western-backed Ukraine to reach a peace deal with Russia nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Central Asian nations – specifically, the five former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – have sought a position of neutrality, maintaining their relationships with Russia without offering clear support for the Russian military campaign.

Relationships in the region might be due for recalibration if Russian President Vladimir Putin emerges emboldened from any Trump initiative in the conflict.

Tokayev has already called for peace efforts to bring the war to an end, describing Russia as “militarily invincible.”

There are concerns that Trump will erode U.S. democratic institutions in his second term, a potential disappointment for groups that would like to see the U.S. campaign harder for democratic freedoms in Central Asia. Trump has also promised mass deportations and other tough policies on immigration, which could have an impact on the increasing number of Central Asian people trying to reach the United States through the southern border and by other means.