Analytics
Following the leadership transition in 2016, Uzbekistan’s foreign policy has undergone a significant shift towards increased regionalism, with a strong focus on enhancing economic cooperation with Central Asian countries. The new leadership has mended strained bilateral relations through a two-step process: firstly, by addressing sensitive issues such as water resource management and border delimitation and demarcation, which had previously strained relations, and secondly, by emphasising the deepening of economic cooperation in the spheres such as mutual trade, investment, tourism both regionally and bilaterally. This paper discusses Uzbekistan’s regional economic activity with Central Asian countries after the leadership transition.
The October analytical pieces in foreign press focused on the devastating accident at an ArcelorMittal mine in Kazakhstan, another controversial law in Kyrgyzstan, repressive tactics in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, power struggles in Turkmenistan, and Russia’s gas shipments in Uzbekistan. (more…)
Turkey’s reorientation towards priority cooperation with China and Russia may complicate Central Asian countries’ interaction with the European Union, according to Eldaniz Gusseinov, a specialist in European and International Studies at the Heartland Expert Analytical Center. Commenting on the prospects of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), Gusseinov suggested that the OTS needs to look for new niches for cooperation. (more…)
In September, foreign analytical articles on Central Asia focused on regional integration, energy issues, attacks on independent press, balancing foreign relations, and the 5th Consultative meeting of the Heads of State. (more…)
As discussions intensify over Greater Eurasian integration and cooperation in transport and logistics—with a special focus on involving Central Asian nations—it’s become crucial to establish a format for meetings among Central Asian leaders to bolster regional collaboration. The Consultative Meeting of Central Asian countries, convened on September 14, 2023, serves as a foundational stone for processes in Greater Eurasia, marking significant achievements including the formation of a joint commission to oversee the execution of agreements aimed at enhancing land transport connectivity in Central Asia.
IWPR experts believe that the first summit of the Central Asian and US presidents held in New York is mainly symbolic in nature. They believe that the most important decisions for these countries will continue to be taken at the bilateral level. For the US, however, it is important for the Central Asian countries to comply with sanctions against Russia in order to prevent the export of dual-use goods to Russia. (more…)
Uzbekistan has substantially improved in various sectors with President Mirziyoyev’s efforts and reforms since he assumed office in 2016. However, public sector corruption remains a persistent issue, hindering trust in officials. Several key factors contribute to this problem and impede the effectiveness of reforms, with women’s under-representation in governmental positions as an often-neglected aspect. This piece verifies that increasing the number of women in the public sector, particularly in decision-making, is an innovative strategy worth considering.
Foreign analytical articles of August highlighted several important trends in the region, including increased civic engagement in Kazakhstan, strengthening US sanctions against companies in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan’s growing relations with international actors in the infrastructure and energy spheres, dynamics in regional cooperation, etc. (more…)
It is difficult to hope that Uzbekistan’s consumers will switch to relatively expensive alternative energy sources when electricity tariffs are relatively low, experts Nodira Mukhammadkulova and Shakhrizoda Rakhimova said. (more…)
The Central Asian countries were analyzed by foreign outlets in light of Kazakhstan’s strained relations with Russia, growing authoritarianism in Kyrgyzstan, army enlisting measures in Tajikistan, new census data from Turkmenistan, presidential elections in Uzbekistan, and other important developments in the region.