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Kyrgyzstan Hosts Summit of Organization of Turkic States

On November 6, Bishkek hosted the 11th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Chaired by Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov and themed “Empowering the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All,” the summit was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary (observer state of the OTS). At the summit, the OTS chairmanship passed from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. In his speech, Kazakhstan's Tokayev summarized the results of his country's chairmanship of the OTS. Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States was held under the motto "TURKTIME!" with special attention paid to strengthening the unity of the Turkic world and expanding comprehensive cooperation. Tokayev said that over the past 10 years, economic ties between the OTS members have strengthened significantly, and their trade volume exceeded $45 billion in 2024. According to Tokayev, strengthening transport and logistics ties within the OTS is a priority task. “It is necessary to fully utilize the potential of the Middle Corridor, which is strategically important for the further economic development of the Turkic world. Therefore, it seems necessary to agree to ensure the sustainable development of cargo transportation along this route.” Addressing the summit as the new chairman of the OTS, Japarov emphasized that the Organization has the unique potential to achieve high goals, strengthen its position in the international arena, intensify mutually beneficial cooperation, and create favorable conditions for the prosperity of its people. According to Japarov, during its chairmanship of the OTS, Kyrgyzstan will make every effort to develop economic partnership, sustainable development, digital integration, and strengthening common security. To expand trade and economic cooperation, negotiations will be initiated on intergovernmental agreements in services, finance, the creation and support of common labor markets, digital and e-commerce, intellectual property, agriculture, technology, innovation, tourism, and education. Japarov supported signing the Agreement on Partnership in the Field of Digital Economy, which will facilitate digital trade between the Turkic states. Joint measures to combat the challenges associated with climate change and environmental pollution will be one key area of Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship. According to Japarov, over the past 70 years, the area of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16%. These glaciers are a source of drinking water for Kyrgyzstan and the entire Central Asian region. “Considering that our region is among the most vulnerable to global warming, by 2100, we may lose more than half of the glaciers,” the Kyrgyz president warned, adding that “we will develop cooperation in the implementation of joint green projects in the field of renewable energy, forest restoration, the introduction of resource-saving and energy-efficient technologies, the protection of glaciers and biological species, as well as the fight against land degradation and desertification.” Addressing the summit, Turkey's Erdoğan said: “I wholeheartedly believe that the decisions we will make today to achieve the targets we...

International Relations Economy Foreign debt Foreign Affairs Foreign Policy International Finance

Turkey Writes Off All Foreign Debt to Kyrgyzstan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov during his state visit to Bishkek. It has became known that Turkey has decided to write off Kyrgyzstan's remaining debt, which amounted to $58.9 million. “I express my sincere gratitude to President Erdogan for the decision to write off the debt,” Japarov said at a joint press conference. He also asked the Turkish side to consider customs privileges for Kyrgyz suppliers and to involve Turkish companies in constructing small—and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants in Kyrgyzstan. Erdogan said the talks resulted in the signing of 19 documents on cooperation, including in trade. “We discussed steps to increase trade turnover between our countries from $2 billion to $5 billion. Turkish construction companies have implemented more than 90 projects here with a total value of about $1 billion,” he said. This is not the first time Turkey has forgiven Kyrgyzstan's debt. In 2011 Ankara wrote off $51m of the country's foreign debt, accrued over the previous 15 years. According to the Kyrgyz Finance Ministry, by August 2024, the country's total foreign debt amounted to $4.6 billion. Erdogan is on a state visit to Kyrgyzstan from November 4-6.

France Government International Relations Tokayev International Diplomacy Organization of Turkic States

Tokayev Arrives on State Visit to France

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited France on November 4-5, at the invitation of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. During the visit, high-level talks were held to strengthen cooperation in trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. In addition, Tokayev met with representatives of French business circles. French media also covered the visit. Le Monde noted that the talks between Tokayev and Macron focused on expanding economic ties and discussing joint projects in energy and infrastructure. Le Figaro emphasized the importance of cultural exchange between the two countries, mentioning plans to hold joint cultural events in the coming years. Kazakhstani officials said Tokayev's visit to France strengthened bilateral relations and opened new prospects for cooperation in various fields. On the eve of his visit, Tokayev published an article in the French newspaper Le Figaro titled “Kazakhstan is a strategic and reliable partner for France.” In the article, he outlined the main areas of cooperation with France and emphasized Kazakhstan's role in international diplomacy. Tokayev noted that global challenges such as climate change and migration require updated approaches to international cooperation. He highlighted the role of “middle powers,” of which Kazakhstan is one, in promoting global stability, emphasizing the country's commitment to a balanced foreign policy and support for peacekeeping efforts. Tokayev also expressed Kazakhstan's interest in cooperating with France in the fields of rare earth metals mining, development of “green” energy, and nuclear industry. He added that the upcoming referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will open up opportunities to strengthen Europe's energy security. Last year, these areas were discussed during Macron's visit to Astana. In addition, he emphasized Kazakhstan's role in ensuring Europe's energy security through the Middle Corridor project, which links Asia and Europe. In conclusion, he expressed confidence in promising cooperation with France to achieve global stability and prosperity. The leaders of Kazakhstan and France met in Astana precisely one year ago, in November 2023. Then Tokayev called the visit of Macron to Kazakhstan historic. At the enlarged meeting, Tokayev specified that, one-on-one, the leaders identified several priority areas for future cooperation, including energy, critical raw materials, renewable energy, transit, agriculture, and health care. At the same time, the French leader invited Tokayev to Paris in 2024. After his visit to Paris, Tokayev will travel to Kyrgyzstan on November 6 to attend the XI Summit of the Organization of Turkic States. The central theme of the OTS summit will be “Strengthening the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All.”

International Diplomacy Kuwait International Relations Government Politics

Tajikistan and Kuwait Sign Nine Cooperation Agreements

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon began his official visit to Kuwait on November 3. He met with the country’s leaders and finalized agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Following discussions, Tajikistan and Kuwait signed nine key documents to enhance their collaboration, the President’s press service reports. In the presence of Rahmon and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, both sides signed: • A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Tajikistan and Kuwait’s Diplomatic Academy; • A protocol to amend the double taxation agreement between the two countries; • A memorandum on labor regulation in the private sector; • Agreements on trade and industrial cooperation; • A cooperation agreement between Tajikistan’s National Information Agency “Khovar” and Kuwait’s State Information Agency “KUNA”; • Memorandums covering sports, standardization, and physical culture; • An executive tourism program for 2024-2026. Rahmon is quoted as saying: “We are ready to take practical steps to strengthen our relations further.” The discussions emphasized the importance of increasing the intergovernmental joint commission’s activities and establishing an Entrepreneur Council and a Joint Investment Fund between the two nations. Rahmon also thanked Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah for the Kuwait Development Fund’s support of critical projects in Tajikistan, particularly in road construction, energy, and irrigation. Additionally, both leaders discussed expanding Kuwaiti investment into Tajikistan’s light, food, metallurgy, pharmaceutical, and agriculture industries. The Emir of Kuwait recognized Rahmon’s initiatives in empowering women and shared Kuwait’s similar efforts, highlighting recent appointments of women to senior government roles. The signed memorandum on private-sector labor regulation was celebrated as a step toward cooperation, further solidifying the growing partnership between Tajikistan and Kuwait.

Russia Sanctions EU Sanctions International Relations US sanctions Foreign Affairs International Diplomacy

Authorities Rail Against Use of Kazakhstan in Circumventing International Sanctions Against Russia

Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko emphasized in an interview with the Polish publication PAP that the country seeks to prevent its territory from being used to circumvent international sanctions imposed against Russia. According to Vassilenko, although Kazakhstan has not officially imposed sanctions nor joined the anti-Russian measures, the republic's authorities consider it essential to prevent risks associated with possible secondary sanctions against its companies. This is especially important in regard to its close economic ties with Western countries. At the same time and in acknowledgement of its position concerning both its Western partners and Russia, Kazakhstan has emphasized the need for balance and an avoidance of circumvention of restrictive measures. Vassilenko also noted that Kazakhstan is actively cooperating with the European Union on the sanctions regime, and as part of these consultations, reported that he had been in dialog with David O'Sullivan, the EU special envoy for sanctions. Vassilenko denied speculation about growing tensions between Kazakhstan and Russia, and pointing out that the countries maintain close ties, explained: “There are different issues because we are neighbors and have diverse relations. We are working with Russia to solve these issues before they become problems. This is our approach not only to the Russian Federation but to any other country." After the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Kazakhstan took a neutral stance and did not support Western sanctions against Moscow. Nevertheless, the Kazakh authorities have repeatedly stated that they will not allow the country's territory to be used to circumvent these restrictions. President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, in his speeches, adheres to the principle of compliance with the international sanctions regime and aims to conduct a constructive dialog with the EU and the U.S. to avoid possible secondary sanctions that could affect Kazakh companies.

Industrial cooperation International Relations Economic Cooperation Bilateral Cooperation Export/Import Regional Cooperation

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Prioritize Cooperation Between Regions

On October 22, the 4th Interregional Forum, “Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan,” was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The forum addressed issues such as increasing bilateral trade turnover, developing industrial cooperation, and enhancing collaboration in the water, energy, transit, and transport sectors. Speaking at the forum, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, emphasized that developing cooperation between the regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is a priority in relations between the two countries. Aripov stated that “Over the past seven years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan has grown almost 2.5-fold, reaching $4.4 billion last year. Today, more than 1,000 enterprises with Kazakh capital operate in Uzbekistan. Border regions have established direct and close ties with each other — the Republic of Karakalpakstan [in Uzbekistan] with the Mangistau region [in Kazakhstan], the Tashkent region with the Turkestan region, and the Navoi region with the Kyzylorda region. At the same time, this great potential has yet to be realized.” Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, meanwhile, announced at the forum that Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to Uzbekistan by over $550 million, offering 40 types of high-value-added Kazakh products. Uzbekistan is Kazakhstan’s main trading partner in Central Asia. From January-August 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $2.5 billion, with more than 50% of Uzbekistan’s trade passing through Kazakhstan in transit. The forum paid special attention to the development of industrial cooperation, including 74 joint projects with a total investment volume of $3.4 billion and the creation of 14,600 jobs. Of these, 65 enterprises will be established in Kazakhstan, creating 13,600 new jobs. Examples of Kazakh-Uzbek industrial cooperation include the manufacture of Chevrolet Onix cars in Kostanay (Kazakhstan), a plant for the production of household appliances in Saran (Kazakhstan), sewing, spinning, and weaving factories in the Shymkent and Turkestan regions (Kazakhstan), and the production of autoclaved aerated concrete in Angren (Uzbekistan). Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are also working on establishing the International Center for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia,” which will offer “one-stop shop” for services and tax and customs for entrepreneurs from both countries.