Central Asia Watch Team : Aliya Yechshanova and Denis Lavaud
01/29/2022: The Deputy Minister of Kyrgyzstan discussed further trade and economic cooperation with the Ambassador of Ukraine – Aliya Yechshanova –
On January 28, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Nurlan Niyazaliev held a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Ukraine to the country Valery Zhovtenko. The sides discussed in detail the issues of further bilateral cooperation between the countries. The officials paid special attention to the prospects for further cooperation in the field of trade and economy. In addition, issues related to the organization of a bilateral business forum, as well as the holding of a regular meeting of the Kyrgyz-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission were discussed. During the talks, the parties confirmed their intentions to hold joint events in 2022 as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine.
01/29/2022: Kyrgyzstan willing to solve the conflict against Tajikistan peacefully. – Denis Lavaud –
The head of the State Committee for the security of the nation of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiev, declared during his visit to the province of Batken on Saturday the 29th, that the country wanted to peacefully solve its border conflicts with Tajikistan.
This statement followed a cease-fire decided by the two states, after several conflicts happened since spring 2021, killing dozens on both sides of the border. The conflicts broke out due to territorial issues and access to water sources, claimed by the two parties. Kamchybek Tashiev declared that the conflict should be solved in accordance with the interests of both states, as both countries want to maintain peaceful relationships.
01/29/2022: The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan outlined the socio-economic results of 2021 – Aliya Yechshanova –
The executive body of the state power of Kyrgyzstan summed up the results of the country’s development in the socio-economic sphere on January 29. Emphasis was placed on the results achieved in the areas of energy supply, development of strategic deposits and repair of irrigation systems. In order to ensure the stable functioning of the energy sector and ensure energy security, a medium-term tariff policy for electric and thermal energy until 2025 was approved on September 30, 2021. Measures have been taken to ensure that all strategic deposits are developed by domestic companies, and all extracted gold remains in the country and is owned by the state. This primarily concerns Kumtor Gold Company CJSC. For the first time in the history of the republic’s independence, 1 billion soms (about $11.79 million) were allocated for the repair of irrigation systems.
01/30/2022: Turkmenistan will establish international relations to solve environmental problems – Aliya Yechshanova-
On January 30, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov positively assessed the project proposals, “The revival of a new era of a sovereign state: The National Program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan for 2022-2052” on expanding cooperation and creating a multilateral partnership with international organizations in the field of nature and environment protection, environmental safety, climate change, presented by Foreign Minister Rashid Meredovat a cabinet meeting. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment has been instructed to conclude new joint projects with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
In addition, these projects will contribute to the implementation of the developed program until 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide for effective measures arising from the Paris Agreement.
01/31/2022: The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a meeting with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China – Aliya Yechshanova –
Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov met with Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao on January 31. Topical issues of bilateral cooperation in such areas as trade and economic, transport and logistics, agriculture, development of the “green” economy, digitalization, rational use of transboundary rivers, were discussed. Particular attention is paid to the prospects of increasing the supply of environmentally friendly agricultural products from Kazakhstan to China and increasing cross-border cooperation. The Prime Minister stressed the need to restore supply chains, modernize and ensure the smooth operation of all road and railway checkpoints on the Kazakh-Chinese border, as well as the resumption of direct flights between Kazakhstan and China. Zhang Xiao noted that cooperation with Kazakhstan is one of the priorities in China’s foreign policy. China remains a reliable partner and is ready to provide the necessary support and assistance to the Kazakh side. China is one of the largest foreign trade and investment partners of Kazakhstan. For 11 months of 2021, the volume of bilateral trade amounted to more than $17 billion and increased by 13.6%.
01/31/2022: Representatives of the CIS discussed practical aspects of cooperation between defense departments – Aliya Yechshanova –
On January 30, the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS states held a coordination meeting via video link. The parties discussed issues of strengthening the relationship. Representatives of the Ministries of Defense of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the Secretariat of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS countries participated. The parties discussed the use of a unified system of state radar identification. At the end of the meeting, the experts began checking the formations and military units of Uzbekistan to organize the application of this approach. At the same time, the possibilities of cooperation in the field of equipping the national armed forces with the means of a new generation were considered. Work is also planned to train personnel and modernize the legal framework.
02/01/2022: Mirziyoyev approved the idea of introducing the Human Dignity Index in Tashkent- Aliya Yechshanova-
On January 31, the leader of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation of projects for the development of the city of Tashkent. Officials, in particular, proposed to the president to introduce an Index of Human dignity in the capital. The new mechanism will be similar to the Human Development Index, which is widely used around the world and is an integral indicator for cross-country comparison of living standards, literacy, education and longevity. The authorities intend to cover all districts of the capital with such a study, conducting a survey of residents to identify their needs and problems in a particular area. Mirziyoyev noted that for this work it is necessary to create an analytical center with the appropriate software within the metropolitan administration. He stressed that this system should show which areas or streets require priority attention. The Uzbek leader also added that all measures taken in this regard should be based on public opinion and approved by local councils.
02/01/2022: Turkmenistan took part in the development of the plan of humanitarian cooperation of the CIS countries – Aliya Yechshanova-
Experts of the special commission for humanitarian cooperation of the CIS countries, including representatives of Turkmenistan, took part in the coordination of the primary plan of cooperation in the humanitarian field within the organization on the 2nd February. The new upcoming project plan for 2023-24 consists of 10 sections, which include over 300 different events. The discussion took place in a hybrid format. The meeting participants discussed the details of the joint document being developed, including the development of identical positions on many organizational issues of future joint events. It was decided to revise some of the proposals made earlier, taking into account the positions and opinions of the participants. The future plan covers multi-vector cooperation in the scientific, educational and second-hand books, culture, mass media and mass communications, tourism and sports. We should add that the new plan takes into account that 2023 in the CIS will be held under the motto “The Year of the Russian language as the language of interethnic communication”. The final document will be considered at meetings of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers and CIS Heads of Government.
02/01/2022: Meeting of the Permanent Secretary of the CSTO and the new head of the antiterrorist center for the CIS -Denis Lavaud –
On the 2nd February, the Permanent Secretary of the CSTO, Stanislav Zas met with the new head of the Antiterrorist center for the CIS, Evgueniy Sysoev and ministers of defense of the organisation.
The debates focused on the questions about joint actions the organisation wants to lead to counter terrorism and extremism within its borders. Stanislav Zas and Evgueniy Sysoev emphasized on the importance of the reinforcement of the joint actions to prevent terrorism, particularly after the events that occured in Kazakhtsan in January 2022, led by terrorists according to the Kazakh government. Other topics have been at the center of these debates, such as expansion of inter-states cooperation, modernisation of the army gear, and the development of a legal framework for joint actions.
02/01/2022: Uzbekistan and Russia step up their economic and commercial partnership – Denis Lavaud –
A bilateral meeting took place in Moscow on the 1st of february between the Minister of Industry and business of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, his Uzbek counterpart Sadur Umurzakov, as well as the deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan. They exchanged on the expansion of the bilateral economic partnership. They dealt with different questions, such as the growth in economical and commercial partnership between the two countries, as well as the development of the industry in Uzbekistan. Ministers exchanged about the creation of a russian-uzbek « project management office » that would take care of the project’s progression.
Several delegations from Russia are expected during the oncoming year in Uzbekistan, in order to launch the different projects planned by both countries. China was since 2014 the first economical partner of the former soviet republic, but Russia did a come back last year, allowing a total of 7,5 billion dollars in investments being sent to Uzbekistan, as well as 1,6 billions dollars of business contracts, which led Russia to gain its place as the major economic partner of Uzbekistan.
02/02/2022: In the focus of the development of the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, Lukoil has signed regular contracts – Aliya Yechshanova-
On February 2, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the head of PJSC Lukoil, Vagit Alekperov, in order to get acquainted with the current activities of the oil company in Kazakhstan. Vagit Alekperov informed the head of the republic about the results of the work done and subsequent plans for joint projects in the energy sector. In particular, he provided information on the dynamic pace of work within the framework of cooperation between the national company “Kazmunaygas” and PJSC “Lukoil” in projects for the development of the Kazakh section of the Caspian Sea. It was particularly noted that at the moment contracts for subsurface use have been concluded and work has started in the light of the implementation of the Zhenis and Al-Farabi projects. Alekperov also said that his company is a strategic partner in the research and development of the Kalamkas-More and Khazar offshore fields. Following the meeting, the Head of state pointed out the importance of broad involvement of local companies and the labor contingent in the implementation of subcontracting orders.
02/03/2022: Mirziyoyev stated the need to modernize the waste disposal system in Uzbekistan – Aliya Yechshanova –
The leader of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on February 2 at a government meeting ordered the modernization of the waste disposal system in the country. Shavkat Mirziyoyev drew attention to the fact that in the republic there is no specific system for collecting garbage of plant origin, a mechanism for storing, transporting, and disposing of construction and medical waste. In this regard, the President instructed the heads of regional administrations and relevant departments to systematize landfills and eliminate spent resources. In addition, he said that it is necessary to develop a bill that will regulate the organization and closure of such facilities. The Uzbek leader also emphasized the importance of supporting businessmen engaged in the field of garbage disposal. To do this, the authorities intend to reduce taxes for entrepreneurs, exempt them from customs duties on special equipment and spare parts imported from abroad, and allocate preferential loans for the purchase of sorting and processing equipment.
02/04/2022: Representatives of Tajikistan and the Netherlands discussed the development of the bilateral format of cooperation – Aliya Yechshanova-
On February 3, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sharaf Sheralizoda held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the country Andre Carstens. The topics for the diplomats’ conversation were the exchange of views on the current state of bilateral cooperation between the countries in key areas, the diplomats also discussed joint initiatives in honor of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries, at the same time considered the participation of the Dutch delegation in the Second International Conference on the Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028”.
