International Relations - The Times Of Central Asia

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Russia Ukraine Germany Bilateral Relations War International Cooperation International Relations

Tokayev: Russia is “Militarily Invincible”

During a meeting in Astana with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Kazakhstan's President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to Tokayev, further escalation of the war will only lead to irreparable consequences for all mankind and, above all, for all countries directly involved in the war. Tokayev said: “The fact is that Russia is militarily invincible. Unfortunately, a good chance to achieve at least a truce was lost with the refusal to conclude the Istanbul Agreement. But the opportunity for peace still exists. We need to carefully consider all peace initiatives put forward by various states, come to a decision to stop hostilities, and then move on to discussing territorial issues. In our opinion, the peace plan of China and Brazil deserves support.” Tokayev reminded the public that Kazakhstan has the world's longest delimited land border with Russia. He further stated that “cooperation between our countries is developing within the framework of strategic partnership and alliance. In Kazakhstan, we have genuine sympathy for the Ukrainian people and their distinctive culture. There have never been any disagreements between our states. The embassy of our country continues to function in Kyiv.” While his comments about seeking peace before discussing territorial issues may seem like Tokayev is backing Russia, in 2022, he said that Kazakhstan would not recognize the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics (“DNR” and “LNR”). Speaking about the 'republics', he noted that the two basic principles of the UN Charter -- the right to self-determination for nations, and the territorial integrity of states -- have come into mutual contradiction. On this topic, Tokayev noted: "It is estimated that if the right of self-determination for a nation is realized on the globe, then instead of the current 193 states, more than 500-600 states will emerge on Earth. It will be chaos. For this reason, we do not recognize Taiwan, Kosovo, South Ossetia, or Abkhazia. We will apply this principle to all quasi-state territories, which, in our opinion, includes Luhansk and Donetsk.”

Russia Afghanistan Oil International Relations Oil refinery oil export oil pipline

Uzbekistan Begins Processing Afghan Crude to Alleviate Energy Shortages

Uzbekistan’s Saneg oil refining company has begun processing Afghan crude oil at its Fergana refinery, to help ease Afghanistan’s energy shortages under Taliban rule. The first shipment of oil was transported by rail from the Hairatan terminal in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province. Afghanistan faces a significant energy crisis due to supply issues from Iran and Turkmenistan. The Taliban wants to restart domestic oil production to reduce its dependence on imports. Afghan crude oil, mainly extracted from the Amu Darya basin, is not fully used because Afghanistan needs more facilities to refine it. However, fortunately for Afghanistan, its neighboring countries to the north and west are willing and capable of supplying electricity, gas, and light oil products so that the country can, to some extent, improve its energy security. The refining agreement represents one of the first cross-border collaborations for Afghan crude oil, despite the historically complex relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Other countries, such as Russia and Kazakhstan, are looking at similar opportunities to gain market share and indirectly support the Afghan economy. This shows how the Central Asian countries are changing their strategies while Afghanistan is isolated internationally. For example, at the end of April this year, a delegation from Kazakhstan paid an official visit to Kabul, where a meeting of the Kazakh and Afghan businesses and an exhibition of Kazakh products were held. The visit to Kabul shows Astana’s intention of using trade to improve Kazakhstan’s relations with the new Afghan government. Saneg’s initiative to process Afghan oil is part of Uzbekistan's strategy to boost its refining and seize business opportunities in a volatile region. Exporting refined products to Afghanistan could bring extra revenue, and help a struggling neighbor. However, political instability and fragile relations may limit the long-term benefits. Companies from Russia are also interested in similar deals. Uzbekistan has also signed five agreements on mining projects in Afghanistan. These agreements, worth $1.15 billion, were part of a larger package of 35 agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries. These agreements increased Uzbekistan’s investment in Afghanistan by more than $2.5 billion.

International Relations Economic cooperation Bilateral Cooperation Bilateral Trade Industry Afghanistan Agriculture

Rise in Trade Between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan

In January-August 2024, trade between Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $14 million, including $6 million worth of Afghan exports to Kyrgyzstan. According to a TOLOnews report, based on data from the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, most of Afghanistan's exports to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan consist of mineral water, carpets, non-alcoholic beverages, dried fruits, fruit juices, apricots, and sesame seeds. The report was issued in the wake of an announcement on September 6, in which Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "A decision has been made to remove the Taliban from the list of prohibited organizations within the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.” The Ministry emphasized that the removal of the Taliban, the unrecognized group that effectively controls Afghanistan, from the list of banned terrorist organizations, aims to enhance regional stability and support ongoing dialogue. Confirmation was also made of Kyrgyzstan's ongoing commitment to supporting the efforts of the international community to ensure a stable and peaceful environment in both Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Reporting on the meeting between Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov and the Chargé d'Affaires of Afghanistan in Kyrgyzstan, Nurullah Amin, on September 6, the Kyrgyz government’s press service outlined the parties' discussions on furthering bilateral cooperation between the two countries. On the Kyrgyz side, Japarov expressed interest in developing trade and economic relations, and transport links with Afghanistan, engaging in the joint development of Afghan mineral deposits, and cooperating in the energy, industry, and agriculture sectors.

Energy Japan Green economy Green Energy International Cooperation Economic cooperation International Relations

Kyrgyzstan and Japan Agree to Cooperate in Green Energy

In Japan on September 9, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibrayev, met with Ken Saito, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, who oversees the country's energy policy. The two ministries signed a memorandum of cooperation to implement joint projects in green energy. The aim of the new partnership is to expand energy cooperation between Japan and Kyrgyzstan, and developing sectors such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, hydrogen energy, ammonia, carbon recycling, and high-efficiency electricity generation. While visiting Japan last November, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Cooperation in the energy sector was one of the issues that they discussed. During the visit, Japarov invited Japanese companies to use the opportunities and potential for cooperation with Kyrgyzstan to develop renewable energy sources and construct hydropower plants.

Diplomacy Bilateral Relations International Cooperation International Relations

New U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Outlines Priorities For Cooperation

At her first press briefing in Ashgabat, the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Elizabeth Rood, outlined key areas of cooperation between the two countries. She paid particular attention to economic development and investment attraction. Rood emphasized that the U.S. Embassy intends to actively engage with Turkmenistan's government, private sector, and educational institutions to create new jobs and employment opportunities and diversify the national economy. Rood also emphasized four critical areas of work: combating climate change, economic sector development, security issues, and promoting fundamental freedoms. Regarding climate challenges, Rood emphasized Turkmenistan's role in mitigating climate change and welcomed President Serdar Berdymukhamedov's pledge to limit methane emissions. Ambassador Rood also emphasized the importance of supporting civil society in Turkmenistan, including upholding fundamental freedoms and combating forced and child labor. In addition, she expressed her intention to strengthen ties between the peoples of the two countries, noting her inspiration from the determination of Turkmen youth to learn exact sciences and the English language.

B5+1 Foreign Affairs Geopolitics International Relations Middle Corridor US Russia

Russia’s FM: U.S. Interest in Central Asia’s Economy Could Harm Russia’s Development

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a question-and-answer session with students at Moscow’s MGIMO University in early September, noted that “a growing number of extra-regional actors,” including the United States, have taken an interest in fostering trade via the so-called Middle Corridor -- a route connecting Asia to Europe via Central Asia, bypassing Russia. Lavrov’s speech suggests that the U.S. interest in the economic future of Central Asia will negatively impact Russia's development. Lavrov noted that Russia maintains “warm and allied” relations with Central Asian nations, which are bound to Russia economically and strategically via several agreements, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. He added that Russia “cannot prevent anyone from establishing deeper ties with other partners.” Lavrov couldn’t resist lashing out at the United States, saying the motives of American officials in Central Asia aren’t magnanimous. “When our partners and allies in Central Asia expand their relations with the West, I do not have the slightest doubt that they understand perfectly well that apart from pursuing its noble and transparent objectives, the West also seeks to undermine the Russian Federation’s influence there,” he said. The U.S. engages with Central Asia through the B5+1 process, which promotes Western investment by encouraging reforms to reduce trade barriers and streamline customs. Recently, Central Asian countries have signed agreements to improve trade regulation, and the U.S. has helped some countries upgrade their infrastructure. U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum has said in a statement: “In August ... the United States provided Kazakhstan’s Customs Service with advanced Dell Technologies Inc. servers to help make border procedures more efficient. “Adopting innovative technologies will streamline processes, enhance accuracy, improve transparency, and foster a business-friendly environment, attracting more investors and boosting economic growth,” Russia's war in Ukraine has weakened the Kremlin’s ability to pressure Central Asian states to follow its wishes. Russia depends on covert trade through Central Asia to bypass sanctions and get goods for its war. Meanwhile, China is supplying dual-use technologies to Russia and has overtaken Russia as the leading trade partner for Central Asian countries. In his remarks, Lavrov called China “a reliable partner” but didn’t mention it in the context of Central Asia’s growing trade dynamics.