The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a report titled “The Eurasian Transport Network,” which introduces a new conceptual approach to future developments within the Eurasian Transport Network and outlines key projects and initiatives aimed at improving transport connectivity in Eurasia. The Eurasian Transport Network is a system of interconnected latitudinal and longitudinal international transport corridors
China’s Foreign Ministry announced on June 30 that President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan from July 2 to July 6, RFE/RL reported. “From July 2 to 6, President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th Meeting of the
Speaking in the Mazhilis (the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament) on June 26, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Kanat Iskakov commented on rumors about the alleged existence of foreign biological laboratories in Kazakhstan, Zakon.kz reported. The issue was raised by Mazhilis deputy Rinat Zaitov, who asked if there are US biological laboratories in Kazakhstan?
The chief of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Aleksandr Bastrykin, said on June 27 that about 10,000 migrant workers with Russian passports have been sent to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, RFE/RL’s Russian Service reported. Bastrykin called the move “a good feature that led to the situation when migrants started slowly leaving Russia.” Bastrykin added that his
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed concern over recently adopted amendments to Tajikistan’s law on the regulation of traditions and ceremonies, saying it worsens religious freedom violations in the Central Asian state, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. The amendments, signed by President Emomali Rahmon on June 20, among other restrictions bans children’s games
The construction of a garment factory near Bishkek to employ relatives of more than 80 Kyrgyz people killed during anti-government protests in April 2010 began earlier this month, according to factory construction foreman Jenish Nusubaliev, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. The unrest toppled then-President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who was later sentenced in absentia to several lengthy prison
During Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to Brussels on June 25, the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), which will replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in 1999. The document was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev, High Representative of the
OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg on 25 June concluded his visit to Kazakhstan. The visit focused on strengthening regional cooperation and the OSCE’s engagement in addressing the broad range of security challenges the region is facing. In Astana, Minister Borg met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairman of
Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security said on June 25 that “a leader and nine members” of the Yaqyn Inkar Islamic group, which is banned in the Central Asian nation, were detained in the southern Batken region, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. The State Committee added that 12 residents of the region denounced their membership in
On June 24, during his first state visit to Uzbekistan, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh held negotiations with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, with the main focus on deepening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the two leaders tasked their governments to establish a joint working group on
The Osh regional court in southern Kyrgyzstan told RFE/RL on June 24 that a lower court had sentenced a local man, whose identity was not disclosed, to five years in prison two weeks earlier for joining Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. In January, a Bishkek court handed a suspended seven-year prison
A court in Bishkek has sentenced Kyrgyz activist and Social Democratic Party member Alga Kylychev to 10 years in prison on a charge of hostage-taking, which he vehemently denies, calling it politically motivated, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Bailiffs immediately arrested Kylychev after a judge at the Alamudun district court in the northern Chui region pronounced the ruling
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed into law a bill on mass media that will hinder journalists from getting comments from officials and interviews, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported. Domestic and international rights groups and media experts have expressed concerns over the new law, saying it will compromise independent journalism and lead to self-censorship in the Central Asian
Saidjafar Usmonzoda, a prominent member of the Tajik parliament, was detained on June 14 for allegedly “plotting to overthrow the government,” RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. Prosecutor-General Yusuf Rahmon accused Usmonzoda of collaborating with the foreign-based opposition group National Pact of Tajikistan and of speaking with its leader, the self-exiled Sharofiddin Gadoev. Gadoev fled Tajikistan in the early
A court in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, has acquitted all members of a group facing 20 years in prison for protesting a border deal with Uzbekistan, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. The judge ruled on June 14 that there was insufficient evidence to convict the 27 activists. Earlier this week, prosecutors asked for lengthy sentences for
Several international rights groups on June 12 demanded the immediate release of over two dozen Kyrgyz activists who could be facing 20 years in prison for protesting a border deal with Uzbekistan, RFE/RL reported. Prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan asked a court in Bishkek on June 10 to hand down lengthy sentences to 27 members of a Kyrgyz group
On June 12, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Kazakhstan and held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two leaders also took part in the Kazakh-Korean business forum in Astana. During the negotiations, the parties discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in such areas as energy, infrastructure and industry, mechanical engineering, trade, transport and logistics,
On June 12 in Astana, the European Commission and Kazakhstan launched the Coordination Platform of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, the Coordination Platform will improve the safety and sustainability of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and will turn the corridor into a
A court in Kazakhstan’s northeastern city of Oskemen handed prison terms to two local residents on June 11 on charges of separatism and calls to seize power, RFE/RL reported. The Prosecutor’s Office in the East Kazakhstan region said the two, whose identities were not disclosed, were sentenced to five years in prison each for statements they made
Marat Karabayev, Kazakhstan’s minister of transport, believes that as a bridge between the East and the West, Kazakhstan will continue to play its part in facilitating regional and global trade. In his article published in the Chinese publication, South China Morning Post, Karabayev says that trade between Asia and Europe has faced challenges as a result
