Strategic Partnership - The Times Of Central Asia

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Tajikistan and China Tighten Strategic Partnership

On his state visit to Tajikistan on July 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed China’s unwavering support of the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and ready to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, engaged in negotiations with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe. Opening the meeting, Rahmon said that for Tajikistan, strengthening a comprehensive strategic partnership with China is a priority, and added that Dushanbe firmly supports the one-China principle and opposes any form of Taiwan independence. As reported by Rahmon’s press service, the leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade and economy, as well as Chinese investment in industry, energy, transport, agriculture, digitization of the economy, and artificial intelligence. Today, over 700 of Tajikistan’s industrial enterprises, including mining and mineral processing, are financed by Chinese capital, and looking ahead, the leaders earmarked the joint production of green technologies, and in particular, electric cars, solar panels and smart electric grids, as promising areas for cooperation. Following the talks, the Chinese president told journalists that the two sides agreed to focus on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote the synergy of the two countries’ development strategies, and assist each other's modernization drive. Xi also announced China’s readiness to increase its importation of quality products from Tajikistan and pledged support for boosting the country’s transit potential. Later in the day, the Chinese and Tajik presidents attended the inauguration of new parliament and government buildings in Dushanbe, built with China’s support. As testimony to the strong relationship between the two, Xi Jinping presented President Rahmon with the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China; the first time the award has been received by anyone outside China.

Agriculture Car Industry Foreign Investment Green Energy Critical minerals Strategic Partnership Strategic dialogue Innovative technology Foreign cooperation

Uzbekistan and Korea Forge New, High-Tech Agenda for Strategic Partnership

On 14 June, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During their meeting in Tashkent, it was noted that the Republic of Korea is among Uzbekistan’s leading trade and investment partners. Last year, bilateral trade turnover reached $2.5 billion, and Korean investments in Uzbekistan now exceed $7.5 billion. Negotiations focused on the formation of a new, high-tech agenda for Uzbek-Korean strategic partnership over the next three years. As a result, the two leaders tasked their governments to prepare a Strategic Program for the creation of a regional high-tech hub in Uzbekistan, with priority given to the following “anchor” areas of the Strategy: Partnership on critical mineral resources with deep processing and creation of a complete added value chain. Strategic cooperation in the field of semiconductors, in which the Republic of Korea is recognized as a global leader, and the implementation of plans to create in Uzbekistan’s first fully-fledged research and production cluster of semiconductor products. Full-scale partnership in the chemical industry, including new projects to produce green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as finished rubber products. Deepening cooperation in mechanical engineering. This spring, an assembly line for KIA cars was launched in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region, to be followed next year, by a plant with the capacity to manufacture over 60 thousand vehicles per year. Transfer of technologies to develop “smart” agriculture, including via the digitalization of the agricultural sector, the introduction of “smart” and “green” technologies. Agreements have already been reached on the creation of modern greenhouses and garden complexes in Uzbekistan’s regions based on renewable energy sources. Infrastructure modernization and a program for urban development, based on the high interest of Korean banks and companies in the modernization of transport infrastructure, and the design and construction of residential and commercial real estate in Uzbekistan on the principles of public-private partnership. With regard to developing potential projects in green energy and increase energy efficiency, strategic dialogue is to be resumed between energy ministers and a meeting organized in Uzbekistan in the near future.

Foreign Investment Foreign Trade Bilateral Cooperation Strategic Partnership business and economy

Uzbekistan and Turkey Deepen Strategic Partnership

On 6 June, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a Joint Declaration in Ankara on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. During the third meeting of the Uzbek-Turkish High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, chaired by the presidents, Mirziyoyev emphasized that the establishment of the Strategic Cooperation Council “opened a new page in the history of Uzbek-Turkish relations and gave a powerful impetus to the further development of partnership in all areas.” It was stated that in recent years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkey has increased 1.5-fold, the number of joint ventures has doubled, and Turkish investments in the Uzbek economy has grown 2.5-fold. Ninety flights operate weekly between the countries’ major cities and the number of Turkish tourists in Uzbekistan has tripled. The two countries now aim to increase the volume of bilateral trade turnover to five billion dollars in the shortest possible time. Leading Turkish companies as Cengiz Holding, Aksa Energy, Çalık Holding, Akay Inşaat, Anadolu Group, Özgüven, and Eczacıbaşı Holding are currently implementing over 100 projects in Uzbekistan and during President Mirziyoyev’s visit, a portfolio of new investment projects worth $10 billion was formed. The agenda focused on strengthening industrial cooperation, deepening the localization of production of goods with high added value, and joint entry into the markets of third countries. Emphasis was also placed on the need to reduce customs tariffs within the framework of the Agreement on Preferential Trade and on the introduction of a trade mission of Uzbekistan in Istanbul. The importance of cooperation in increasing the transport and logistics potential of the two countries, including effective harnessing of opportunities of the Middle Corridor, was discussed. In recognition of his role in their countries’ allegiance, President Erdogan awarded President Mirziyoyev with the Order of the Republic; the highest state order awarded to foreign nationals by the President of Turkey. Thanking the president, Mirziyoyev announced: “It is a great honor for me to receive such a high award from the Republic of Turkey on the day of signing the Declaration on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries. This award is a symbol of thousands of years of fraternal ties between our peoples, confidential dialogue at the highest level, as well as rapidly developing multifaceted bilateral relations.”

Bilateral Cooperation Strategic Partnership business and economy U.S.

Kazakhstan and United States Strategic Partnership

On 31 May, Kazakhstan First Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin and Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu attended the sixth meeting of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD) between Kazakhstan and the United States in Washington, According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, summaries were provided on recent collaborative initiatives and views on current bilateral and regional issues were synchronized. Plans were outlined for further development and enhancement of the countries’ strategic partnership, with a special emphasis on aspects of political and economic cooperation, as well as the human dimension. The participants also discussed projected outcomes of the meeting in the U.S in March, between Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Rakhmetullin drew attention to the alignment of the political and democratic transformations declared by President Tokayev on the main issues on the bilateral agenda. He then highlighted the importance of developing infrastructure projects and transportation routes as key elements of bilateral trade and economic interaction. The parties also discussed cooperation in the fields of energy and critical minerals. The American side praised the steady progress of the bilateral partnership, with reference to projects launched following the C5+1 Presidential Summit in September 2023. During their visit, the Kazakh delegation also attended separate meetings with leaders of U.S. Administration, the State Department, the Office of the Trade, and other relevant U.S. agencies. At a round table event with representatives of American civil society, the Kazakh side gave presentations on innovations in national legislation on the protection of human rights in the country. The meeting concluded with an agreement to further Kazakhstan – U.S. Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue at a meeting scheduled for 2025 in Astana.

UN Strategic dialogue Strategic Partnership Environment Turkmenistan

Outcome of First Turkmenistan- UN Strategic Advisory Council Meeting

On May 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the first meeting of the Turkmenistan-UN Strategic Advisory Council. In addition to its approval of a Roadmap for the development of a new Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development between Turkmenistan and the UN for 2026-2030, the council discussed projects concerning youth policy, digitalization, demography, green energy, and climate change. Following the meeting, delegates signed official agreements on several projects. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) pledged their commitment to ‘Enhancing capacities for climate-resilient water management’; the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Developing digital solutions for sustainable pasture management’; and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Development of the aquafeed value chain and aquatic animal health management capacity’. The Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Development Program also signed an agreement on the procurement of products for the control of infectious diseases in 2024-2025 for the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

Strategic Partnership USA Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan and USA Set to Strengthen Partnership

On 14 April, delegations led by Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and John Pommersheim, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, attended an annual political consultation in Ashgabat. The meeting focused on the current state and prospects for the development of Turkmen-American relations in political, trade, economic, ecology, culture, education, and humanitarian sectors. According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, both parties confirmed their commitment to cultural and educational programs, through monthly meetings, and approved a joint road map in the field of education. The American delegation welcomed Turkmenistan's accession to the Global Methane Commitment which underlines both countries’ determination to resolve environmental problems and create sustainable socio-economic development. The parties welcomed the establishment of inter-parliamentary cooperation as essential for maintaining contacts and coordinated approaches to resolving pressing issues.