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Uzbekistan and EU Look to New Areas of Cooperation

On November 5, the government of Uzbekistan and the European Union held the 7th meeting of their Subcommittee for Development Cooperation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The parties reviewed the EU’s ongoing projects in Uzbekistan and agreed to closer cooperation in transport, critical raw materials, digitalization, and territorial planning. As reported by the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, the parties discussed the progress of the ongoing EU-funded project, “Further Improvement of Public Services Delivery in Uzbekistan,” which has increased Uzbek citizens’ access to public services in rural areas; projects addressing corruption; and budget support and expertise worth 27 million euro for agricultural reforms. The EU and the Uzbek government also addressed potential new areas of cooperation, such as critical raw materials, transport, territorial planning of urban and rural areas, and women’s economic empowerment. As part of the Multi-annual Indicative Program for 2021-2027, the EU will allocate around 43 million euros for new bilateral programs to be launched between 2025 and 2027. An additional 30 million euros will be allocated to regional programs supporting border security, digitalization, including access to the Internet, and national migration policies. The Multi-annual Indicative Programme for 2021-2027 sets the priorities for the EU-Uzbekistan cooperation. The priority areas are effective governance, green and digital growth, and sustainable agri-food sector. In April 2024, the European Commission and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic partnership on critical raw materials (CRMs), which marked a significant step towards a diversified and sustainable supply of CRMs for green and digital transitions in both the EU and Uzbekistan. Rich in copper, molybdenum, and gold, Uzbekistan has the second-largest reserves of CRMs in Central Asia (after Kazakhstan).

European Union Economic Cooperation International transport Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

EU and Turkmenistan Launch Coordination Platform of Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

On October 3 in Ashgabat, the European Union and Turkmenistan launched the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform. The platform aims to strengthen connectivity by developing transport routes within Central Asia and the European Union. The event brought together the European Union, representatives of the countries along the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye, and international financial institutions. The European Union delegation was led by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. As reported by the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a flagship of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, and the establishment of the Coordination Platform is one of the key deliverables of the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity held in January 2024. European and international financial institutions at the Forum committed to mobilizing €10 billion for sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia. The EU aims to work with partners towards a modern route that boosts trade and facilitates the flow of goods between Central Asia and Europe while driving economic development and regional integration. The platform's main role will be to promote the corridor and coordinate efforts to implement priority projects in hard and soft infrastructure in Central Asia. It will also coordinate with investments and activities in the South Caucasus and Turkey that are relevant to strengthening operational efficiency and seamless connections across the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Urpilainen said: “Central Asia, as a region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, plays a pivotal role in the EU Global Gateway investment strategy and connectivity vision. The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a critical artery linking Europe and Asia, boosting trade, facilitating exchanges, and driving prosperity across our regions while ensuring improved connectivity, cooperation, and economic growth between all Corridor countries. Harnessing this potential will require massive infrastructure investments in the coming years; I am pleased to see governments from countries along the Corridor, key International Financing Institutions, EU Member States, G7 countries, and other partners coming together.” Urpilainen said that to the European Union, Turkmenistan is an important partner in Central Asia. She also emphasized the European Union's commitment to supporting Turkmenistan's transition to a sustainable, green economy while enhancing its business environment. The EU has further allocated €18 million to strengthen its partnership with Turkmenistan, highlighting its dedication to fostering sustainable development and economic growth.

European Union Rule of law Crime Court Cases Oligarchs

Alisher Usmanov Wins Court Case Against German TV Channel ARD

The Hamburg court news about Uzbek-born billionaire Alisher Usmanov was broadcast by the German TV channel ARD as unreliable. ARD accused Alisher Usmanov of creating a system of bribing International Fencing Federation (FIE) judges. According to the report, the court found the information published by the ARD channel unreliable and banned its distribution as “inappropriate news based on suspicion.” If the court order is violated, the violator will be fined up to 250,000 euros per episode or imprisoned. Alisher Usmanov’s press service highlighted that between 2022 and 2024, several European media outlets, particularly in Germany, acknowledged their inability to substantiate accusations against the businessman and signed written agreements to cease their unlawful dissemination of information. To date, approximately 30 such declarations have been made in favor of Usmanov. As a result of legal proceedings, the businessman’s legal team obtained numerous orders preventing the spread of false information by European media. “One of the most significant was the court decision issued in January 2024 to ban the statements made about Usmanov by the American magazine Forbes, which became one of the key elements in justifying the introduction of EU sanctions against him. Earlier, Usmanov also won a lawsuit against the Austrian newspaper Kurier,” the press service emphasized. The court appeal was triggered by two articles and a video report about fencing at the Paris Olympic Games, aired by Germany’s ARD channel in August 2024. In them, journalist Hans-Joachim Seppelt accused Alisher Usmanov, who stepped down as FIE president in early 2022 due to EU sanctions, of creating a system to “bribe referees.” The FIE management officially denied these accusations. According to the press service, the German Internet publication Sport1.de and the Austrian newspaper Krone.at, which republished ARD's false statements, corrected their materials at the request of Usmanov’s lawyers. However, the ARD TV channel refused to fix the inaccurate information voluntarily. “There is no evidence other than gossip spread by dubious witnesses, invented insinuations, speculation, and rumors. Respect for truth, human dignity, and the dissemination of reliable information are the foundations of the German code of journalistic ethics, which was grossly violated by the state broadcaster,” summarized lawyer Joachim Steinhöfel, representing Usmanov in court. As of August 15, 2024, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov is the 132nd richest person in the world, with a wealth of estimated $15.4 billion.

national traditions Cultural Cooperation Embassy Art and Culture Fashion Cultural Heritage Belgium Traditions European Union

Turkmen Designers Present Their Works at an Evening of Art in Brussels

An evening dedicated to Turkmen art and traditions, organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan within the framework of cultural exchange, was held in Brussels. The event brought together cultural sector representatives from Central Asia and Europe, including fashion and art figures. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, opened the meeting, noting that Turkmen culture is a heritage that needs to be protected and passed on to new generations. The diplomat emphasized the role of cultural diplomacy as a means of strengthening ties between peoples. “Culture has always been a neutral sphere that unites people," Palvanov stated. An essential part of the program was a speech dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the great poet, Makhtumkuli. The Ambassador spoke about how his ideas continue to inspire not only Turkmen, but people of other nations, influencing Turkmenistan's cultural ties with Europe. The evening's guests were presented with the works of talented Turkmen designers, Sheker Akiniyazova, Shemshat Tachmammedova, and Ogulbeg Berdimiradov. Their collections combined traditional elements with modern fashion. The designers also participated in the Brussels cultural program and presented at European institutions. Elena Kharitonova, founder of Caravan Cultura CreArt Agency in the Netherlands who co-organized the event emphasized the preservation of cultural values through modern projects and her support for young Turkmen designers.

European Union Afghanistan Diplomacy Taliban International Relations Global Diplomacy EU

Redefining Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s Strategic Shift in Relations With Afghanistan

On September 9, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree dismissing Alimkhan Yesengeldiyev from the position of Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Afghanistan. Yesengeldiyev has been at the post since April 2018. Local media have not yet reported on the appointment of a new ambassador. Previously, Astana has made bold diplomatic steps towards normalizing relations with Afghanistan under Taliban rule. For instance, Kazakhstan accredited Taliban diplomats in April 2023, and removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations in December 2023. On August 21 of this year, Kazakhstan accredited the head of the Afghan diplomatic mission as charge d'affaires in the country. Astana continues to increase trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation with the de facto authorities, and has actively engaged in various international platforms for initiatives in Afghanistan. Moreover, President Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan's position on the situation in Afghanistan just a month after the Taliban seized Kabul, when the world was still in shock. “Kazakhstan sees the future Afghanistan as a truly independent and united state living in peace with itself and its neighbors," he stated. "At this crucial historical moment, the multinational people of Afghanistan should not be left alone in the face of unprecedented difficulties.” By changing the head of its diplomatic mission in Kabul, it appears that the authorities in Kazakhstan intend to qualitatively improve the state of their relations with the Taliban. The eventual appointment of a new head of the Kazakh embassy will symbolize a new page in relations. In all likelihood, according to recognized international practice, a diplomat will be presented to the Taliban not in the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary but as the Charge d'Affaires of Kazakhstan. This will preserve the principle of parity and be understandable given international disputes surrounding recognition of the Taliban. Overall, Kazakhstan's foreign policy steps have always been characterized by consistency and an unwavering focus on international law. It seems that the world as a whole is now acclimatizing to the idea of pragmatic dialog with the authorities in Kabul, with whom it is necessary to maintain constant bilateral and multilateral diplomatic contacts. On September 27, at the official request of the British government, the embassy of the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in London will officially cease operations. The embassy building will not be handed over to the Taliban or any other political representation. The embassy in Oslo representing the former government in Afghanistan has also ceased functions since September 12 at the request of the authorities there. Neither the British nor the Norwegian authorities are currently commenting on the situation. A few days ago, Deutsche Welle reported that the German Foreign Ministry has accepted the Taliban's application to recognize their consulate general in Munich as the sole center for providing consular services in Germany. In July, the Taliban Foreign Ministry declared that documents issued by 14 Afghan missions abroad are illegitimate. They were located in Britain, Berlin and Bonn in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and Norway. Currently, the...

European Union Germany Bilateral Cooperation Economic Cooperation International Relations Rogun HPP

Rahmon Invites German Chancellor to Cooperate on Rogun HPP

During the summit of Central Asian countries and Germany on September 17 in Astana, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on expanding Tajikistan’s cooperation with Germany and furthering Germany's business interests in the country. The president noted the significant contribution made by the German Society for International Cooperation and the German Development Bank to Tajikistan's implementation of its national strategies. With regard to future projects, the parties discussed developing effective cooperation in economy and trade, industry, hydropower, solar and wind energy, transport, and agriculture. The two leasers also exchanged views on mining and processing minerals and scarce earth metals, the expansion of bilateral cooperation in industry and agriculture, and the prospects of exporting products from Tajikistan to Germany. Talks also covered global problems related to drinking water, melting glaciers, climate change, and food security. Olaf Scholz confirmed Germany's interest in cooperating with Tajikistan in energy fields, including hydropower and other green energy sources, mining, environmental protection, and security, and emphasized, “we encourage cooperation with Tajikistan to global German companies." According to the president's press service, Emomali Rahmon recalled Germany’s contribution to the construction of the Tajikistan and Sebzor power plants in Badakhshan and the modernization of the Nurek hydroelectric power plant. Looking ahead, the president expressed confidence that such cooperation could continue on the Rogun power plant. The estimated cost of completing the construction of the Rogun HPP is $6.4 billion, and when fully operational, about 70% of the electricity produced will be exported to other Central Asian countries. The meeting closed with Rahmon inviting Scholz to come to Tajikistan on an official visit.