Bilateral Relations - The Times Of Central Asia

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Bilateral Relations NGOs

Why Are You Allowed and We Are Not? Japarov Responds to U.S. on Foreign Agents Law

The Kyrgyz presidential administration published a letter of response from Sadyr Japarov to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. It follows a letter to the Kyrgyz leader in which the top U.S. diplomat expressed concern about the draft law titled "On Non-Profit organizations," which tightens control over their activities in Kyrgyzstan. In his response letter to Blinken, Japarov thanked the American official for his appreciation of the work of the 78th UN General Assembly last September, where the Kyrgyz President urged the international community to support Kyrgyzstan's environmental and green projects. But, he also noted with regret that U.S. authorities are interfering in Kyrgyzstan's internal affairs, emphasizing that the desire for justice and freedom is a distinctive feature of his home nation. "Regarding your concerns about the draft law on foreign agents... there are tens of thousands of non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations (NPOs) that are successfully working throughout Kyrgyzstan, addressing many problems on which the state previously had neither the will nor the desire to do something. At the same time, it should be recognized that some NGOs/[NPOs] receive funding from abroad, and not only from the U.S. and EU countries," the president wrote. According to Japarov, the Kyrgyz state, by legal definition, intends to control such organizations - namely, where their money comes from and for what purposes it is used. The president emphasized that the draft law - which MPs initiated and adopted in its first reading - is very similar to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) adopted in 1938 in the United States. According to the president, the analogous American law assigns the status of a foreign agent and controls not only the mass media but also any individuals and legal entities financed from abroad. At the same time, violations of this law or delays in registering an organization in the United States are fraught with not only administrative but also criminal penalties. "In this connection, the question cannot [help] but arise: why are you allowed and we are not allowed?" the Kyrgyz President asked rhetorically. In his letter, Japarov said that in accordance with the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, human and civil rights and freedoms - including the right to freedom of speech and the right to association - may be restricted by law to protect national security, public order, health and public morals, as well as to protect the rights and freedoms of others. In this right, Kyrgyzstan is no different from other countries. Japarov noted that it seems to him that when Blinken addressed him, he relied on unreliable information from NGOs who had earlier criticized the draft law. Japarov said that this information didn't allow the U.S. foreign policy chief to draw an objective picture of the situation with human rights and freedoms in Kyrgyzstan. "Only a small number, but a [quite] vociferous group, of these structures financed by foreign states... is a source of inaccurate information for their grantors. In addition, these nongovernmental structures often spread false, inaccurate information among the people, which...

Bilateral Relations Belarus

Lukashenko In Uzbekistan To Talk Trade

The president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Uzbekistan on February 7th for a two-day visit, holding official talks with president Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. The two leaders discussed their countries' trade, economic and cultural ties. Mr Lukashenko's visit coincided with a meeting of the Business Council in Tashkent, which featured high-ranking officials and important businesspeople from the two countries. Last week a delegation of more than 100 Uzbek businessmen paid a working visit to Belarus, during which a trade house was opened at the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Minsk. Over the past seven years Belarus and Uzbekistan have increased bilateral trade by more than four times; turnover was $565m in 2023. The nations intend to increase this figure to $1bn within two years, expanding cooperation in sectors including agriculture, education, tourism, forestry and housing. At present Uzbekistan's exports to Belarus comprise industrial goods, food products, beverages and tobacco products. In monetary terms, Belarus' s investments in Uzbekistan's economy have increased threefold over the past three years and amount to $45.6m. Uzbekistan in turn buys foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment from Belarus.

Bilateral Relations

Mirziyoyev Fortifies China-Uzbekistan Relations for Economic and Green Transformation

Ahead of his trip to Beijing, in his article for the People's Daily, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev poured lavish praise on China. Not only did Mirziyoyev say he admired Chinese President Xi Jinping's global development, security and civilization initiatives as efforts to significantly address global challenges and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive future, he also aligned Tashkent's vision of regional and international security with Beijing. Mirziyoyev has paid several visits to China, underscoring Beijing's growing importance in his economic and development agenda. His objective to strengthen "multifaceted" relations with Beijing further expounds the fact that China will be a centerpiece of his foreign and regional policy and ambition for a green transition. During his October's trip to Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum, Mirziyoyev struck a complimentary tone, expressing gratitude to Xi for the invitation, stressed that the number of Chinese companies investing in Uzbekistan had increased fivefold and said that he expected bilateral trade to exceed $10 billion by the end of 2023. Mirziyoyev’s campaign has worked, given that Chinese enterprises are the second-largest investors in the country, China accounts for more than one-fifth of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade (21.3%) and bilateral trade in 2023 has far exceeded expectations, reaching $14 billion. Once Mirziyoyev signaled that China as one of his top foreign policy priorities, it helped Tashkent sign several agreements with Beijing. In his latest visit, Mirziyoyev called for international unity on the "Green Silk Road," which was first proposed by Xi in Uzbekistan back in 2016, and fully supported the green initiative’s potential to shape the agenda for a “common green future.” Construction of a 400-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant by PowerChina and Mirziyoyev's meetings with Chinese energy companies in October indicated that he was impressed by their ability to deploy modern engineering solutions in electricity transmission networks and to implement solar, wind and hybrid power projects. Just last month, Mirziyoyev praised his strategic partner for completing projects at an “astonishingly” fast pace, and he continues to hail China's progress on large scale joint investments projects which have helped Tashkent make important strides in developing green energy and their endeavor to create 27 gigawatts of renewable energy generation by 2030. While cooperation with the "undisputed global leader" in renewable energy would solidify Tashkent's energy security and environmental sustainability, the first hydrogen plant in the country and region will also save some 33 million cubic meters of gas every year, decarbonize heavy industries, and add a new engine of growth, raising Uzbekistan’s international profile. The two nations are promoting active cooperation on infrastructure, too. The Chinese-built Angren-Pap railway line, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transport corridor, and the four routes of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline that pass through Uzbekistan denote a region-wide consensus on developing intra- and inter-regional infrastructure to push trade, enhance connectivity, and bring prosperity. Once finalized, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project will give Central Asia the shortest and most accessible passage to global markets, bringing billions of dollars of investments into...

Bilateral Relations

Visit of a Delegation from Turkmenistan to Japan: Prospects for Cooperation

Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov led a delegation from Turkmenistan, which visited Japan from January 22nd to 23rd. During the visit, the development of bilateral cooperation and the organization of the first Summit of Heads of State of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue were discussed. According to information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the diplomats met with Yoshimashi Hayashi, Secretary General of the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers During the visit, they discussed the involvement of Japanese companies in the export of high value-added products, diversification of project financing, study of experience in "green" and hydrogen energy, as well as the creation of modern high-tech industries. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Japanese companies showed great interest in cooperation in infrastructure and energy transition. Meredov also met with Ken Saito, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. A number of important issues related to cooperation between Central Asia and Japan were discussed. A proposal was made to hold the next Ministerial Dialogue on Energy Economy within the framework of the Dialogue "CA+Japan". The topic of developing a Roadmap on decarbonization, which will be aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, was also touched upon. One of the key topics of discussion was the possibility of introducing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). This mechanism will allow the countries of Central Asia and Japan to share knowledge, technologies and resources in the field of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition to sustainable development. The topic of developing cooperation in the field of e-commerce was also touched upon. The idea is to create an electronic platform to improve trade relations between CA and Japan. This will reduce trade barriers and simplify procedures for importing and exporting goods. Finally, joint work in the field of hydrogen development and transportation technologies was discussed. Hydrogen is one of the promising sources of energy, and its efficient utilization can have a significant impact on addressing climate change. This meeting was an important step in strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan in the fields of economy, trade and industry. It opens new perspectives for the development of the energy sector, industry, trade and technology.

Bilateral Relations

Mirziyoyev to Visit China – Strengthen Strategic Partnership

At the invitation of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will make a state visit to China from January 23rd to 25th, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan has reported. Within the framework of his stay in Beijing, a series of high-level talks and bilateral meetings are planned. The main objective of the visit will be to discuss and settle key aspects in further strengthening Uzbek-Chinese relations, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding practical cooperation in various fields. The partnership between Uzbekistan and China is of great strategic importance, the press service stated. In addition, Mirziyoyev also plans to visit regions of China, where he will hold meetings with the heads of leading Chinese companies and representatives from banking and financial institutions.

Bilateral Relations

U.S. Ambassador Addresses Relations with Kazakhstan

The United States has prioritized two areas in its relationship with Kazakhstan, “stability and sovereignty,” said the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan,Daniel Rosenblum during a roundtable discussion at the Caspian Policy Center’s DC office on January 4th. The Caspian Policy Center (CPC) is an independent, nonprofit think tank based in Washington D.C., with its central research focus on economic, political, energy and security issues in the Caspian region. Ambassador Rosenblum highlighted the “tremendous progress” made between the United States and Kazakhstan in recent years, and addressed the future direction of the U.S.-Kazakhstan bilateral partnership, as reported in the CPC’s press release. Rosenblum said he sees the United States heading in two directions: “One is maintaining that level of engagement. Having another leader-level meeting ... And I know that because Kazakhstan is quite interested and pushing us to commit the same thing at the next UNGA .... hopefully, that can happen and then it becomes a sort of a tradition.” The second direction, Rosenblum added, is to see that “substantive commitments... get realized, and then grow into other things.” Specifically, the Ambassador highlighted the proposed B5+1 meeting, “which is sort of a private sector parallel structure [to the C5] of business associations and U.S. businesses.” The Trans-Caspian trade corridor, or so-called “Middle Corridor,” is an “economic priority for the government [of Kazakhstan] and for us as well,” the Ambassador noted. “The key challenge to developing the Middle Corridor and making it a viable alternative is to increase the speed of goods moving and to lower costs,” he specified, adding that such coordination, “will require the countries of the region to cooperate and harmonize their standards and their procedures for the movement of goods.” Ambassador Rosenblum added that the United States has remained committed to financing these strategic infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan. “Our foreign direct investment (FDI) numbers were healthy as there was another $5 billion of new FDI [invested in Kazakhstan] in 2023,” said the Ambassador. “We are still the number two source of FDI [in Kazakhstan] after the Netherlands.” The Ambassador also said that Kazakhstan has made a visible effort to comply with U.S. and international sanctions on its traditional trade partner, Russia. “Since the sanctions were first imposed, back in 2022, Kazakhstan's record is a good one, both in terms of their ability to prevent sanctions evasion and, also, making sure that they're complying with all the sanctions when it comes to their domestic companies, relationships with Russian companies, Russian banks, and so on,” Rosenblum said.