The Global Gateway Investors Forum in Brussels on January 29-30 marks a pivotal moment in EU-Central Asia relations, particularly in enhancing transport connectivity. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis’ announcement of €10 billion in investments underscores a commitment to sustainable development in Central Asia. With a focus on transforming the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the
Kyrgyz presidential spokesman Askat Alagozov told RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service on January 30 that President Sadyr Japarov will take part in the next presidential election scheduled for 2026. A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov said that during a recent meeting with Japarov, the latter mentioned he will seek a second term. According to amendments
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity opened on January 29 in Brussels, bringing together high-level representatives from the European Commission, EU Member States, Central Asia and Caucasus countries, and Türkiye. At the forum, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions will commit €10 billion in support and investments
During his state visit to China, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, together with the Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Guangdong Province, Huang Kunming, participated in the Uzbek-Chinese Investment Forum in the city of Shenzhen on January 25. Opening the forum, which brought together heads of government agencies and regions of the two countries and
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent visit to Italy underscores the robust economic and cultural ties between the two nations. The Kazakh President’s emphasis on the close economic cooperation and dynamic growth potential reflects a positive trajectory in bilateral relations. Italy’s substantial investments in Kazakhstan, totaling $7.3 billion, showcase a strong commitment to mutual prosperity. The
China and Uzbekistan have upgraded their ties to an “all-weather” comprehensive strategic partnership. This was announced during negotiations in Beijing on January 24 between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Uzbekistani counterpart, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. President Mirziyoyev arrived in Beijing on January 23 for a three-day state visit to China. During their negotiations the two leaders
Uzbekistan is a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of China. The development of multifaceted relations with China has been, and remains, one of the main priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in his article, entitled “Uzbekistan and China: millennia-long friendship and cooperation,” published by People’s Daily Online (China)
On January 18, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Italy. Tokayev held talks with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. During the talks, Tokayev said that Kazakhstan and Italy have established close economic cooperation, as well as fruitful cultural and humanitarian ties. “We are proud to be
A Kyrgyz court official said on January 18 that a member of the opposition Butun (United) Kyrgyzstan party, Chynygul Sherkulova, was sentenced to three years in prison last month on a charge of distributing false information online but allowed to start serving her prison term later, as she has three young children, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service
Eight international human rights groups have called on the Kyrgyz government to stop its crackdown on independent media after 11 journalists were detained in a move the watchdogs said was aimed at “intimidating and harassing” journalists to keep them from carrying out their work, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. In a statement dated January 16, Civil Rights Defenders,
Today, Russia and Kazakhstan have no problems either at the political level or in the economic dimension. But it seems that not everyone likes it. And then provocations begin to sound for completely far-fetched reasons, independent expert Nurlan Alniyazov wrote in the following article. A deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Alexey
A day after searching the offices of the news website 24.kg, law enforcement officers in the Kyrgyz capital detained for questioning eight current and former members of the Temirov Live investigative group and the Ait Ait Dese project, as the government continues to pressure independent media, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Temirov Live’s founder, prominent investigative
On January 15 in Astana, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov and Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas discussed further steps to strengthen trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union. The parties considered issues of increasing trade turnover, attracting investment, strengthening cooperation in the transport and logistics sector, easing the
In 2024, Central Asian countries are poised to experience a series of significant events and global influences that will shape their political, economic, and social landscapes. Building on recent developments, these nations are likely to navigate a complex geopolitical environment with both challenges and opportunities. One key factor influencing Central Asia is the evolving relationship
In 2024, new conflicts may occur in the Middle East and Central Asia, says Vladimir Prokhvatilov, a military analyst at the Russian Academy of Military Sciences. He believes that the West may be planning a coup in Kazakhstan. “I am concerned about the situation in Central Asia, where the United States and Great Britain have
In the 2024 Military Strength Ranking released by the Global Firepower, Kazakhstan ranked 58th among the 145 countries listed — the best position compared to other Central Asian countries. In the ranking, Uzbekistan is 65th, Turkmenistan 83rd, Kyrgyzstan 100th, and Tajikistan 107th. In the 2023 Ranking, Kazakhstan was in 63rd place. The Global Firepower ranks
The World Road Transport Organization (IRU) said the first Chinese TIR truck loaded with electronic products departed from China’s southern city of Shenzhen to reach its final destination, the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, via a new 6,500-kilometer transportation corridor that runs through Kyrgyzstan, RFE/RL reported. According to the IRU, the new route, a sign of China’s
On January 10, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over $1.4 million worth of modern energy sector management equipment and software to the Coordinating Dispatch Center (CDC) Energia in Tashkent. The official handover ceremony showcased cutting-edge technology which will allow CDC Energia’s dispatchers to display relevant information for maintaining the region’s energy
A new city, Alatau, has been created in Kazakhstan in line with a presidential decree dated January 9. According to the decree, the village of Zhetygen, Ili district, Almaty region, has been classified as a city of regional significance and renamed to the city of Alatau. The new city is located 15 km from Almaty and
Kazakhstan is at a crossroads in its energy sector. With a growing emphasis on sustainability and a need to align with global decarbonization efforts, the country is embarking on a transformative initiative that aims to ensure the security and reliability of its energy supply. At the heart of this endeavor is a comprehensive energy subsidy
