In April 2021, Central Asia recorded highest rates of growth in the incidence of COVID-19, and there was a bloody military conflict on the border of the two countries. The analytical platform CABAR.asia presents a brief overview of the most significant events in the region over the past month.
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Kazakhstan
General epidemiological situation
In April, Kazakhstan recorded several times record rates of growth in the incidence of COVID-19 since the beginning of 2021, on average around 2500-3000 registered cases per day. For a month, a difficult epidemiological situation was observed throughout Kazakhstan, and quarantine measures were officially introduced.
As it is known, Kazakhstan was divided into three zones: red, yellow and green. Regions receive a certain color according to two indicators: the number of reproduction or transmission of infection from a sick person to a contact person, and the second factor is the incidence rate per 100 thousand population per week.
According to the matrix for assessing the epidemiological situation in the regions of Kazakhstan at the end of April , Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Akmola, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kyzylorda, Pavlodar regions are in the “red” zone. There are six regions in the “yellow” zone: Shymkent, Almaty, Aktobe, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Mangistau regions. There are three regions in the “green” zone – Turkestan, Kostanay and North Kazakhstan regions.
Vaccination
Vaccination against coronavirus in Kazakhstan started on February 1, however, in the first two months only doctors, teachers and security officials could receive the vaccine. In early April, vaccines became available to other Kazakhstanis.
At the end of April, 1,347,000 people received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine – 7% of the country’s population, both components of the vaccine were received by 292,000 people – 1.5% of the population.
On April 26, Kazakhstan began to vaccinate the population with the Kazakhstani vaccine QazVac against coronavirus until the end of the third phase of clinical trials. One of the first to receive a dose of QazVac on Monday was the Minister of Health of Kazakhstan Aleksey Tsoi.
The developers of this vaccine, which is introduced into the body in two stages with an interval of 21 days, reported that the decisive phase of vaccine trials will end on July 9 of this year. As of early April, about three thousand volunteers participated in the trial, of which about half received a placebo. Kazakhstan entered the top five countries that have registered their own vaccines against Covid-19.
The construction of a plant for the production of its own vaccine in the Zhambyl region is still ongoing and at present the institute can independently produce 50 thousand doses.
In early April, it became known that the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, had been vaccinated with the Russian-made Sputnik V vacine. Vaccination in Kazakhstan using this medication began on February 1. Earlier, Tokayev publicly mentioned that he would be vaccinated with a Kazakhstan-developed vaccine.
The President of Kazakhstan met with the head of the Russian diplomatic service
On April 8, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who arrived in Nur-Sultan on a working visit. Within the framework of the dialogue, the main directions of bilateral cooperation in a number of areas were discussed.
The head of Kazakhstan conveyed words of gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his support in the difficult situation that has arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Russian side responded to Kazakhstan’s request for additional supplies of 4 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine. In addition, taking this opportunity, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced that he had recently injected Kazakhstan’s “Sputnik V”, the production of which was established in Karaganda.
Earlier, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who had arrived on an official visit. The Kazakh diplomat noted that the Russian vector remains the most important priority of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
The largest tourist complex in Central Asia has been opened in Kazakhstan
On April 10, in the city of Turkestan, the opening ceremony of the largest multifunctional tourist complex in Central Asia – “Keruen-Saray” was held. The investment project was implemented by Turkistan Tourism City, where the construction of the complex began in December 2019.
The facility is located on an area of 20.5 hectares. Over 4 thousand permanent jobs have been created here. The complex includes a street of merchants and artisans from the Silk Road era, a “flying theater”, an amphitheater for an equestrian show, an oriental bazaar, shopping malls and boutiques, hotels and restaurants, a spa and fitness center, a cinema, and a family entertainment center.
At the same time, all structures are connected by a water channel, where the theatrical show on the water “Parade of boats” will be held. “Keruen-Saray” has no analogues in Central Asia and is intended to become the main center of attraction for tourists and attracting investments to the region after the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassavi.
Su-30SM crashed in Kazakhstan
On April 16, a Su-30SM battle-plane crashed while landing during a training flight at the aviation center in Balkhash (Karaganda region of Kazakhstan). The crew of the plane catapulted, and the pilots are under the supervision of doctors.
Nazarbayev’s departure from the post of head of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan
The first president of Kazakhstan, chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK), Nursultan Nazarbayev, gave up his lifetime chairmanship in the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. He transferred his powers as head of the APK to the current president of the country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
He recalled that in accordance with the legislation, he, as the first president of Kazakhstan, has the right to lead the APK for life.
The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is a consultative and advisory body and unites representatives of all nations and nationalities living in the republic. The idea of creating the APK was put forward by the country’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 1992, and he was its permanent chairman.
Senate returned land bill for revision
The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan returned to the Mazhilis the law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Land Relations”, which prohibits the sale and lease of agricultural land to foreigners.
The claim of the senators, which became the reason for the return of the bill to the Majilis, touched the lands for afforestation – the deputies of the upper chamber spoke out against the transfer of such land to foreigners and included amendments that only allow the transfer of land to Kazakhstan citizens and legal entities without foreign participation.
Earlier it was revealed that the Majilis deputies from the Nur Otan party Samat Musabayev, Gani Tashkaraev, Meyrambek Tulepbergen and Askarbek Uisimbaev left a loophole for foreigners to acquire land rights. So, in paragraph 2 of Article 48 of the Land Code, which now reads “Foreigners and stateless persons – the winners of tenders (competitions, auctions), land plots for agricultural production, afforestation, subsidiary agriculture are provided for temporary land use on a lease basis for a period of up to 25 years. “, The words “for agricultural production, afforestation, subsidiary agriculture” Nur-Otan members proposed to replace the words “for afforestation.” This version was approved by the lower house of parliament and was submitted to the Senate for consideration.
The loophole left has already become a pretext for new land rallies in Kazakhstan – the participants point out to the authorities that the Kazakhstanis themselves can plant forests in the country.
On September 1, 2020, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, while speaking with a message to the people, recalled that on December 31, 2021, the land moratorium will end in Kazakhstan, and assured that “land will not be sold to foreigners” . However, according to him, “the government should fully use agricultural land in the economic turnover,” attracting investment in the agricultural sector, according to the president, “is necessary like air.”
Kazakhstanis in the Forbes list of billionaires
On April 6, Forbes magazine released an updated rating of the richest people in the world – “The Richest in 2021”. In the new ranking, Kazakhstan is represented by seven entrepreneurs , while three of them have become newcomers to it. These are Vyacheslav Kim and Mikhail Lomtadze, co-founders of Kaspi.kz, and Timur Turlov, head of Freedom Holding Corp.
The fortune of 51-year-old Vyacheslav Kim was estimated by Forbes at 3.3 billion USD, and 45-year-old Mikhail Lomtadze – at 3.2 billion USD. They became the 925th and 956th richest people in the world. The assets of Timur Turlov, who is 33 years old, were estimated by the publication at 2.1 billion USD, he is located on the 1517th position.
Four more entrepreneurs represent Kazakhstan in the Forbes list. The highest position was taken by 60-year-old Vladimir Kim – 622nd line of the rating, a fortune of 4.6 billion USD and metals and resource extraction – as a source of wealth. The next – at the 891st position – is 63-year-old Bulat Utemuratov with 3.4 billion USD of fortune received from resource extraction, the banking sector, and the hotel business.
The 1111th line is occupied by a 54-year-old Timur and 53-year-old Dinara Kulibayev. The fortune of each is estimated at 2.8 billion USD, and its source is the banking sector.
Kyrgyzstan
General epidemiological situation
In April, a tense epidemiological situation was observed in Kyrgyzstan, which began earlier in March. On April 30, 331 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in the country, and on May 1, 477 new cases of COVID-19 infection were registered, considering community-acquired pneumonia. This was the highest rate since the beginning of the year, and the last time a similar number of new cases was recorded in November 2020. The total number of detected cases of COVID-19 infection in Kyrgyzstan is 95,752.
On April 29, the Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of Bishkek banned museums, libraries and sports institutions from holding mass events. Sanitary regulations were issued to all entertainment, large sports institutions, libraries, and museums on a temporary ban on events leading to a mass gathering of people.
At the end of April, 14 schools and 2 kindergartens were transferred to distance learning in Bishkek . The full transition to online depends on the number of contacts with the sick child or teacher, the final decision is made by the epidemiologists of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Center.
Vaccination
Vaccination in Kyrgyzstan began on March 29, 2021 by the Chinese SinoPharm. China has provided Kyrgyzstan with 150 thousand doses of vaccine for 75 thousand people free of charge. About 30 thousand people were vaccinated throughout the republic in a month. Anyone can get vaccinated at local clinics.
On April 22, Kyrgyzstan received the first batch of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine in the amount of 20 thousand doses. They are intended for people over 65 years of age. In addition, Kyrgyzstan expects to receive AstraZeneca vaccines in May.
Bride kidnapping protests
On April 8, a rally was held in Bishkek against bride kidnapping and forced coercion of women into marriage. The reason for the rally was the high-profile murder of 27-year-old Aizada Kanatbekova. The woman was abducted by unknown persons on April 5. The relatives suggested that her acquaintance could have done this for the purpose of forcing the marriage.
More than a hundred people gathered near the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic. The protesters held posters with the words “Crime must be punished”, “How many of us need to die to stop being kidnapped” and “Ala-Kachuu (bride kidnapping – ed.) is not a tradition”.
Some of the protesters demanded the resignation of the Minister of Internal Affairs Ulan Niyazbekov, as well as the prosecution of law enforcement officials for inaction.
A search organized by the police in hot pursuit did not bring any results. On April 7, in a field near Bishkek, a shepherd found the suspect’s car. Inside were the bodies of the kidnapper and the victim with traces of violent death. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, based on the preliminary version of the investigation, after a verbal altercation, the man strangled Kanatbekova, after which he committed suicide.
The crime was commented on by the Prime Minister of the Republic Ulukbek Maripov. He demanded “inevitable criminal punishment” for the kidnappers. He also stressed that society must develop a “total sense of intolerance to such cases.”
Abductions of girls for the purpose of coercion into marriage in the past were common in the Caucasus, in a number of countries in Asia and Africa. Currently, in most cases, this is a tribute to tradition and takes place according to a previously reached mutual agreement. However, there are also episodes when no one asks the consent of a potential bride. Every year in Kyrgyzstan, about a thousand cases of this kind of abductions are recorded, of which less than 20% reach the trial.
Referendum and new constitution
In Kyrgyzstan, on April 11, along with local elections, a referendum was held on the adoption of a new version of the Constitution. 79.31 percent voted for the amendment of the constitution, 13.65 percent against.
The new edition assumes that Kyrgyzstan will abandon the parliamentary-presidential form of government adopted after the April 2010 revolution and provides for the transition to a presidential form of government and a number of other changes related to the organization of the system of power in the republic. The new draft Constitution significantly expanded the powers of the president. The president will now head the cabinet of ministers, appoint the prime minister and members of the cabinet, and have the right to initiate legislation. Moreover, the head of state will be able to convene a referendum bypassing parliament, and the number of parliamentarians will decrease by a third – from 120 to 90 people.
In total, 81 amendments were made to the current basic law of the country. However, there was no detailed public discussion of the changes with the involvement of the general public, although the draft was published on the official website of the parliament. This document, prepared by the Constitutional Meeting, was criticized by both domestic experts and lawyers and international legal institutions, including the Venice Commission and the OSCE / ODIHR.
According to preliminary data from the CEC , more than 35 percent of registered voters took part in the voting. However, based on the turnout data, the plebiscite was recognized as valid, since its threshold of 30 percent was exceeded.
Independent observers recorded over 800 violations during the voting, among which were malfunctions of automatic ballot boxes (ACS), illegal campaigning at polling stations and bribery of voters. However, Deputy Prime Minister Ulukbek Karmyshakov mentioned that there were no “gross violations” at the referendum, and that “basically, the appeals concerned technical issues.”
This is the eleventh constitutional referendum in the republic. The first Constitution of independent Kyrgyzstan was adopted in 1993. It determined the powers of the president, parliament, and government. For 30 years, it has been amended 10 times by referendum.
Simultaneously with the referendum, elections to local councils were held in 28 cities and 420 rural districts of the country. The official results of local elections and referendum in the Kyrgyz Republic will be determined within 35 days after the elections. After the constitutional referendum, early parliamentary elections are to be held in the country.
Termination of the criminal case against Matraimov
On April 15, the State Committee for National Security announced that it had terminated the criminal case on the legalization of proceeds of crime against the ex-deputy head of customs, Raiymbek Matraimov.
The State Committee for National Security noted that the materials of the journalistic investigation of “Azattyk” became the basis for the start of this pre-trial proceedings. They mentioned that Matraimov had expensive property in Dubai.
According to the intelligence service, the investigation sent relevant inquiries to the competent authorities of the CIS countries, Europe, China, Turkey, as well as to the Emirate of Dubai about the presence of Raiymbek Matraimov and his family members of any assets on the territory of these countries. According to the department of national security, according to official documents of the competent authorities of these states, Matraimov and his family members do not have any movable and immovable property.
According to the special service, the arguments presented in these materials of the journalists have not been confirmed, and the investigation has not received any evidence confirming the facts of the acquisition of any real estate outside Kyrgyzstan by Matraimov and his family members. Thus, the case against the ex-deputy chairman of the State Customs Service was terminated, and he was released.
Also, according to the State Committee for National Security, Matraimov on a “voluntary basis” transferred his apartment with a total area of 232.3 square meters to the state’s income, the cost of which was estimated at 20 million KGS.
Raiymbek Matraimov was detained by the State Committee for National Security on February 18 on suspicion of money laundering. This was the second detention of a former customs officer. In the first case, he was sentenced to a fine. On February 20, Matraimov was placed in the SCNS pre-trial detention center for a period of two months.
The US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan has issued a statement that the State Committee for National Security has dropped the case against the former deputy head of the Kyrgyz customs Raiymbek Matraimov. The diplomatic mission expressed “disappointment over the release of the leader of organized crime, Raiymbek Matraimov.”
The embassy also noted that Matraimov was included in the “Magnitsky list”, and also subjected to visa sanctions for his participation in a corrupt customs scheme, as a result of which at least -700 million USD was laundered from Kyrgyzstan.
From 2015 to 2017, Raiymbek Matraimov served as deputy head of the State Customs Service. He worked in the customs structure for over 10 years. During this time, he established a corruption scheme together with the underground clan of the Chinese businessman Khabibula Abdukadyr.
The Matraimov clan had a great influence on Kyrgyz politics – his older brother Iskender Matraimov is a member of parliament. The Mekenim Kyrgyzstan party, affiliated with the Matraimovs and the authorities, took second place in the parliamentary elections on October 4, 2020.
A deadly plant against the coronavirus
On April 15, president of the Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov wrote on his Facebook page that “a medicine has been found that can cure coronavirus in one or two days.” Along with this, a video was also published in which several people, using special equipment, pour liquid into plastic bottles on which it is written: “Issyk-Kul root” (aconite).
The next day, the Minister of Health and Social Development of Kyrgyzstan Alymkadyr Beishenaliev told in detail at a press conference how the head of state personally lectures for doctors that he is the only person who can determine the correct proportion of a poisonous plant in a decoction. He stated that doctors are already using the Issyk-Kul root everywhere, and that more than 350 people have allegedly been cured.
On April 20, the press service of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Kyrgyzstan reported cases of poisoning with the poisonous plant aconite. Four people in Bishkek were poisoned with aconite and were hospitalized. It also became known that more than 400 patients consumed a decoction of the Issyk-Kul root for the treatment of coronavirus.
However, the Minister of Health and Social Development Alymkadyr Beishenaliev said that the poisoned drinkers were not drinking the tincture he suggested.
The news of the government’s promoted treatment with aconite sparked a scandal in Kyrgyzstan. A number of specialists in the medical field and civil activists have criticized the method of treatment with aconite, noting its danger to the human body. They appealed to the General Prosecutor’s Office with a demand to consider the responsibility of the minister, who showed on the air how to use this medicine. Doctors and experts reminded the official that the Issyk-Kul root (aconite) is an extremely poisonous plant, even external use, for medical purposes it is unacceptable and life-threatening.
Facebook removed Sadyr Japarov’s post about the Issyk-Kul root as containing untrue information. The press service of the head of state said that there was no external interference in the removal of posts.
Despite the outbreak of the scandal and the WHO recommendations, experiments on the treatment of coronavirus with a decoction of aconite, the Issyk-Kul root, continue in Kyrgyzstan. Aconite is officially used in several hospitals in Kyrgyzstan. This treatment is not officially approved by medical protocols, but, as Minister of Health Alymkadyr Beishenaliev assures, patients are given a strictly calculated dosage under the supervision of doctors.
The herb Aconítum soongáricum is known in Kyrgyzstan as the Issyk-Kul root (aconite). Healers use it to treat cancer. However, in scientific medicine, this is prohibited. The World Health Organization mentioned that a meicine that has not undergone clinical trials cannot be registered and recommended for widespread use by the population.
Rally around the controversial reservoir
On March 23-24, the intergovernmental delegation on the delimitation and demarcation of the state border, headed by Tashiev, signed a protocol in Tashkent. According to this document, the dam of the Kempir-Abad reservoir in the Kara-Suu district of the Osh region was to be transferred to Uzbekistan. Tashiev then assured that in the future there would be no problems with the reservoir, and the local population would be able to use the water from the reservoir. However, local residents opposed the transfer of the reservoir to Uzbekistan.
A month later, on April 23, about 150 residents of the Kyzyl-Oktyabr village of the Uzgen region of the Osh oblast occupied the Kempir-Abad reservoir and began an indefinite action against the transfer of land to Uzbekistan on its shore. They set up yurts and demanded the arrival of the chairman of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev.
On April 25, Tashiev arrived at a meeting with protesters from the Uzgen region and said that the Kempir-Abad reservoir will remain in the possession of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting took place at the stadium of the Kurshab village of the Uzgen region of the Osh oblast. About 1000 people came to the meeting. Those gathered did not welcome the head of the State Committee for National Security.
The head of the State Committee for National Security added that they will continue the rest of the work on the exchange of land in the Aksy, Ala-Buka regions and in the Batken region.
At the same time, he did not specify what would happen to the lands that, according to an agreement with Uzbekistan, were to be transferred instead of Kempir-Abad. According to him, the Uzbek delegation will arrive in Kyrgyzstan on May 10, then this issue will be considered.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan presented a note to the Ambassador of Tajikistan
On April 26, the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan Nazirmad Alizoda was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan .
He received a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, which stated the extreme concern of the Kyrgyz side regarding the unlawful and illegal actions of the competent authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan, who abducted on April 24 two citizens of Kyrgyzstan – residents of the Leilek region of the Batken oblast of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Kyrgyz side called on the Tajik side to take immediate measures to clarify the circumstances of the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and inform the Kyrgyz side of the results.
Tajikistan
General epidemiological situation
At the beginning of this year, the president of the republic said that there was no more coronavirus in Tajikistan, and according to official statistics, no new infected were detected.
On April 9, Emomali Rahmon called the government’s decision to abandon the nationwide quarantine in connection with the coronavirus accurate. The introduction of quarantine would lead to food shortages in the winter, the head of Tajikistan said on April 9 at the opening ceremony of the new building of the Palace of Culture in the rural jamoat of Vorukh.
Emomali Rahmon noted that many countries are interested in Tajikistan’s experience in combating COVID-19. He did not specify which countries were in question.
The coronavirus infection, which has infected about 150 million people from the end of 2019 to this day and which has killed more than 3 million people worldwide, existed in Tajikistan , according to official figures, for only eight months.
According to the Ministry of Health of the country, during this period, more than 13 thousand people were ill with the virus and 90 people died, but many experts doubt the accuracy of these statistics.
And doubts arose due to the fact that, despite a series of deaths and questionable burials in April 2020, as well as insistent demands from civil society to reveal the truth, the authorities denied the existence of the coronavirus at that time and allowed official mass events, including Navruz-2020.
Vaccination
The COVID-19 immunization campaign began in Tajikistan in early April. Tajikistan will vaccinate against the new type of coronavirus in three stages, reaching more than 5.8 million people.
In Dushanbe and all regions of Tajikistan, three thousand points have been established to immunize the population of the republic from coronavirus.
According to the National Vaccination Plan, vulnerable groups of the population, including doctors, educators, and citizens over 50 years old, will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
192,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have already been donated to the country, and 624,000 doses of vaccine are expected to arrive. In accordance with the map of plans, all citizens over 18 years of age will be vaccinated within the framework of the campaign.
China will supply 150 thousand doses of vaccine to Tajikistan. The supply of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine is currently under discussion at the level of the governments of the two countries.
Dismissal of the Deputy Minister of Health of Tajikistan
Samariddin Alizoda was relieved of his post as Deputy Minister of Health of Tajikistan. A government decree on this was signed on March 31. The reason for the dismissal was not disclosed. The decision also does not say whether he will be appointed to another position.
Meanwhile, immediately after the announcement of his dismissal, social media users attributed this to his curiosity at a press conference.
Samariddin Alizoda at a press conference on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was provided to Tajikistan under the COVAX program, “confused South and North Korea”, and also forgot the name of the UNICEF representative.
Samariddin Alizoda was one of the first, along with the Minister of Health Jamoliddin Abdullozoda and UNICEF representative in Tajikistan Osama Makkawi Kogali, to be vaccinated against the coronavirus with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Spring military conscription under the new rules
In Tajikistan, on April 1, the spring conscription into the army started in accordance with the new edition of the law “On General Military Duty.” From now on, young people of military age can be released from service after paying a certain amount and participating in a monthly fee. However, the amount has not yet been announced.
On April 1, the authorities of the Rasht, Tajikabad and Sangvor regions announced that they had completed the spring conscription campaign ahead of schedule. All conscripts, according to local officials, volunteered to serve in the army. This year young people born in 1994-2003 are subject to conscription.
In the past, with the start of the conscription campaign in the country, there has been an increase in the number of complaints about cases of forced conscription of young people – the so-called “round-ups/raids”. The authorities admitted that it was not yet possible to end the raids. This year, the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan says that the number of volunteer conscripts has increased.
At the end of January, the lower house of the Tajik parliament approved a new version of the Law of Tajikistan “On General Military Duty and Military Service”, according to which annually up to 10 percent of the military age will be drafted into the army, and those who have not been drafted and do not want to do military service, can get a military ID after passing monthly military fees and paying a certain fee.
Rahmon’s visit to Vorukh
On April 9, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon visited the city of Isfana and the Vorukh enclave, where he made a statement on the issues of delimitation and demarcation of state borders with Kyrgyzstan.
At a meeting with residents of Vorukh, Rahmon said that since 2002 Tajikistan has been negotiating with Kyrgyzstan on the issue of state borders. During this time, according to Rahmon, more than 100 meetings took place between the delegations of the two countries.
“I want to emphasize one more important point, namely for the entire period of negotiations, that is, for 19 years, the question of replacing Vorukh with any other territory has not taken place and cannot not be,” Rahmon mentioned at the meeting.
The head of Tajikistan added that the coordination of state borders “is a difficult process, and their solution requires a lot of time and effort.” At the same time, Rahmon added that Tajikistan supports the search for solutions to problems “taking into account the national interests of both parties.”
Tajikistan and Iran exchanged prisoners
It is noted that the Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Toki Sobiri wrote about the exchange of prisoners on his Twitter page.
The agreement on the transfer to Iran of two citizens imprisoned in Tajikistan was reached during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Jovid Zarif to Dushanbe.
Thus, Tajikistan handed over to Iran two Iranian citizens imprisoned in the Republic of Tajikistan, and Iran handed over to Tajikistan one prisoner – a citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan.
As noted, now in Tajik prisons there is not a single prisoner who is a citizen of Iran.
More than 100 Muslim Brotherhood followers convicted in Tajikistan
The Supreme Court of Tajikistan issued a verdict against 119 people accused of involvement in the activities of a terrorist organization (Muslim Brotherhood) banned in Tajikistan (Ikhvon-ul muslimin).
The sentences were passed on April 8. There were 119 people in the dock, including two Egyptian citizens who taught at a university in Dushanbe.
The trial over a large group of individuals, including teachers, students, civil servants, began in July last year and took place behind closed doors.
They were charged under articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan:
Article 179, part 2 (financing of crimes of a terrorist nature).
Article 307, part 1 (Public call for extremist activity and mass justification of extremism).
Article 307, part 2 (Organization of an extremist association).
Article 307, part 3 (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization).
The ban on the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood organization in Tajikistan was introduced in 2006. A total of 18 terrorist and extremist organizations have been banned in Tajikistan, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Taliban, Tablighi Jamaat, Salafiya, Islamic Renaissance Party, Group 24, and others.
Tajikistan increased exports of electricity by 43%
In the first quarter of this year, Tajikistan increased the volume of electricity supplies to neighboring countries by almost 43% compared to the same period in 2020.
The export of electricity in January-March of this year was made in the amount of 9 million 719 thousand US dollars, according to the Tajik statistical department.
In January-March 2020, Tajik electricity was exported in the amount of 6 million 850 thousand US dollars.
Earlier it was reported that electricity supplies in the autumn-winter period are carried out in small volumes only to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, in Tajikistan itself, there are restrictions on electricity consumption: the limit was officially introduced on January 5 this year, although many residents in the villages have complained about long and frequent blackouts since September last year.
At the moment, the villages receive electricity only during the daytime: from 5 am to 11 pm.
24-hour power supply is currently carried out only in those areas where there are many-storeyed buildings.
Tajikistan demanded from Russian companies to reduce airfare
The Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan has demanded that Russian airlines to reduce the cost of air tickets. According to Tajik authorities, Russian airlines have taken advantage of the increased demand from Tajik citizens for air tickets to Russia and have greatly inflated prices. Residents of the republic are forced to take out a loan to buy a ticket.
Air traffic between Russia and Tajikistan was restored from April 1, 2021. Currently, there are only two scheduled flights per week.
Turkmenistan
Officially, there is no coronavirus in Turkmenistan, however, Ashgabat hospitals are overcrowded with patients with COVID, many have complications. According to doctors, the country is experiencing the fourth wave of coronavirus.
On April 1, easing quarantine restrictions came into force in Turkmenistan that were imposed by the government against the backdrop of the global coronavirus pandemic.
After a year’s break within the country, rail and bus services are being restored, hotels are beginning to receive visitors, and the ban on movement of the population within the country is partially lifted. The government of the country, which does not recognize the presence of COVID-19 on its territory, has not officially explained the reason for the severe restrictions introduced last year. Now, the authorities also do not explain the reason for the abolition of quarantine measures. Meanwhile, the country continues to have a high incidence of COVID-19 symptoms.
From April 1, hotels in the national tourist zone of Avaza begin to receive visitors. For hotel accommodation, you only need a certificate with a negative test for COVID-19, obtained at the place of residence. At the same time, the cost of living increased by an average of 35%.
The decrease in the required certificates has become a great relief for the population; currently, a ticket for a domestic flight can be purchased upon presentation of a certificate with a negative test for COVID-19. The cost of the test is 102 manats (29.1 USD at the exchange rate of the Central Bank).
Prior to that, travel inside the country required a health certificate, including the results of an X-ray of the lungs, examinations in drug addiction, psychiatric and tuberculosis dispensaries, certificates from the local police station. All certificates were valid from 72 hours to 14 days and required additional material costs. In addition, at the request, introduced last fall, citizens were obliged to provide a valid reason explaining the need for travel. The reason for travel was considered work, treatment, death of a loved one, decisions were made by specially created commissions.
Vaccination
Along with the weakening and lifting of restrictions, the authorities, which do not officially recognize the presence of the coronavirus, are vaccinating the population against the coronavirus, expanding, and creating new quarantine zones.
Only Russian vaccines are registered in the country. At the same time, a Chinese-made vaccine on registration is used for mass vaccination, which Turkmenistan has not officially announced. The Russian Sputnik V vaccine, if desired, can be made at your own expense.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov becomes co-chairman of the Turkmen-Russian intergovernmental commission
Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has been appointed to the post of co-chairman of intergovernmental structures from the Turkmen side for cooperation with Russia and Japan. This was stated by the President of Turkmenistan, having approved the new composition of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation and the Turkmen Japanese Economic Committee at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers today.
Earlier, as the head of state noted, these positions were held by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, who heads about ten intergovernmental commissions working with various states and directions.
In this regard, the President of Turkmenistan mentioned that “in order to ensure appropriate conditions for the activities of the head of the domestic foreign policy department,” he decided to appoint Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Serdar Berdimuhamedov from the Turkmen side as the co-chairman of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian and Turkmen Japanese structures from the Turkmen side, relieving the head of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, Serdar Berdimuhamedov was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber, and a member of the State Security Council of Turkmenistan on February 11, 2021.
President of Turkmenistan headed the upper house of parliament
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected as chairman of the People’s Council in the new bicameral parliament of Milli Gengesh (National Council).
The confirmation of his candidacy for the post of head of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council, the highest representative body of the republic’s power) took place on April 14 in Ashgabat.
Thus, the President, being the head of the executive branch, at the same time headed the legislative branch of the country.
Earlier it was reported that in Turkmenistan the Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council) unanimously approved the draft Constitutional Law “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of Turkmenistan”, which provides for the creation of a bicameral parliament in the country.
The new Turkmen bicameral parliament is called the Milli Gengesh (National Council) of Turkmenistan. The draft defines it as a representative body exercising legislative power and consisting of two chambers – the Khalk Maslakhaty and the Mejlis.
According to the amendments to the Constitution adopted in September last year, if the president of Turkmenistan for one reason or another is unable to fulfill his duties, his powers are transferred to the chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty before the election of a new president.
Critics of the amendments believe that under the guise of “improving” the Constitution, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is trying to finally usurp power and make the process of inheritance of the throne irreversible.
Father of the President of Turkmenistan passed away
On Sunday, April 18, at the age of 89, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov, the father of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, died .
Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov was born on August 12, 1932 in the village of Birleshik-1, Geoktepe etrap. From June 1958 to 1982, he held various positions in the Ministry of the Interior.
Over the years of work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov held various positions in the cities of Dashoguz, Mary, Ashgabat: he was a group commander, a detachment chief, headed a duty unit, a personnel department, and was chief of staff.
Retiring in 1982 with the rank of lieutenant colonel, he taught for many years, worked at the National Institute of Education, the Scientific Research Institute of Pedagogical Sciences, and the Ashgabat Education Department.
In February 2012, by a resolution of the Mejlis (parliament) of Turkmenistan, the capital military unit No. 1001 was named after Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov.
In November 2020, by the Decree of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the Choganly residential complex of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan in the Bagtyyarlyk capital etrap was named after Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov.
Uzbekistan
General epidemiological situation
The number of COVID-19 cases in Uzbekistan in April grew steadily. On April 21, 384 cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the country, the maximum daily incidence of COVID-19 has been updated since the beginning of the year.
In this regard, the authorities of the republic, starting from April 18, have tightened quarantine measures. In particular, if a disease is detected in kindergartens and schools, their activities will immediately be suspended for a two-week quarantine. At this time, training will take place online.
From May 1, restrictions on holding concert performances in closed premises will be introduced.
Quarantine controls will also be tightened in large shopping centers, shops, and markets. In particular, the hands of visitors will be treated with an antiseptic, the relevant organizations will control the availability of medical masks and the observance of social distance.
Instructions were given for the implementation of the evening Taraweeh prayer in the holy month of Ramadan in open areas. Also, it was noted about the need to hold iftar in the family circle, or in an amount not exceeding 100 people.
In addition, the number of seats on buses will be limited to 50%. In turn, the number of buses will be increased.
Vaccination
Vaccination in Uzbekistan, which started on April 1, is in full swing. By the end of April, the number of people vaccinated against coronavirus in Uzbekistan exceeded 850 thousand.
The country has created 3,138 vaccination points and 862 mobile teams. They plan to expand the geography of vaccination step by step: April – Tashkent, Nukus and regional centers, May – regional centers, from June – all vaccination points in all regions. By the end of June, it is planned to vaccinate over four million people from risk groups – citizens over 65 and medical workers.
Citizens are offered one of two medications: the Indian analogue of AstraZeneca Covishield and the Chinese-Uzbek ZF-UZ-VAC 2001. Another million doses of the latter also arrived in Uzbekistan on April 27. Almost half of those vaccinated are people over 65. Serious side effects are not observed in the vaccinated, the service mentioned.
Uzbekistan asks Russia to increase the supply of coronavirus vaccine and consider the possibility of its production in the country. This was stated by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin. Over the past week, Uzbekistan received two consignments of Sputnik V, the volume of the first was not specified, the second had 50,000 doses. Abdulla Aripov reported that by the end of the month Uzbekistan will receive 300 thousand doses of the Russian vaccine. Aripov noted that Sputnik V vaccination has been successfully launched in Uzbekistan. According to the Ministry of Health, as of April 29, 1255 people over the age of 65 were vaccinated with this medication.
Uzbekistan plans to launch the production of a vaccine against COVID-19 by the end of the year.
On April 20, the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan published a press release in which it called the antiviral medication Rutan based on the plant Rhus coriaria Totum (sumac) the only effective medication against the SARS-COV-2 virus. The medication was developed by the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to the results of clinical studies, Rutan was approved for use as a medicine in the treatment of moderate COVID-19 and pneumonia with lung damage up to 30%, as well as against all strains of influenza.
Now the medicaton is produced at the joint venture China-Uzbekistan Medicine Technical Park and Radiks. The cost of the course of treatment is about 100 thousand UZS (9.5 USD).
Ministry of Tourism and Sports established in Uzbekistan
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports was established on the basis of the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports and the State Committee for Tourism Development. The decree on this was signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The Ministry of Sports was created in February 2018 on the basis of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports. It was formed a year earlier together with the Ministry of Culture – in February 2017 – to replace the abolished Ministry of Culture and Sports. The presidential decree then noted that the unification of the spheres of culture and sports in one ministry turned out to be ineffective.
Uzbekistan Airways will close flights to Paris, Rome, Milan and 11 representatives in Russia
Uzbekistan Airways will close flights to Paris, Rome, Milan, Amritsar, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta. These flights were found unprofitable .
These plans are provided for by the airline’s new business strategy, which was presented to Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Uzbekistan Airways is expected to cut costs by 46.5 million USD. For this, it is planned to optimize the staff of the company and its structural organizations, decommission 12 unused aircraft, and reduce the commission of foreign agents for the sale of air tickets.
In particular, the cancellation of the above flights will allow the company to save 12.3 million USD annually. It is planned that they will be discontinued in May this year.
The company also intends to sell 12 unused aircraft – five Il-76 and seven Il-114. Their approximate cost will be 380 thousand US dollars. The sale of equipment should be completed by November.
In accordance with the new business strategy, it is planned to switch to a hybrid service model, according to which part of the flights will be carried out on the principle of full service, and some on the principle of low-cost airline.
Starting from the third quarter of this year, it is planned to establish low-cost flights on 4 Airbus A-320 aircraft.
Other interesting measures to optimize performance include:
– closure of 20 ineffective representative offices abroad. These are 11 out of 15 representations in Russia, as well as representations in Amritsar, Mumbai, Paris, Milan, Rome, Tokyo, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. This will bring in annual savings of 3.5 million USD. The closing date is June this year.
- the abolition of the posts of two regional and main representatives of the airline in the UAE and China. The savings will amount to 400 thousand USD, the deadline for execution is June.
- termination of ticketing agreements with 6 major agents in Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, Israel, and the United States. This will be done in May, saving 5 million USD.
- reduction of commission for foreign ticket agents from 9% to 5%. This will be done in May, saving $ 2.9 million.
- reducing the cost of purchasing fuel and lubricants through a tender. Deadline June, saving $ 18.1 million.
Uzbekistan joined the European Union special agreement GSP +
On April 10, a special system of preferences of the European Union (EU) for sustainable development and good governance (GSP +) entered into force for Uzbekistan , where Uzbekistan was admitted as a beneficiary country under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP).
The level of use of preferences under the GSP in Uzbekistan is currently 87%. The product segments that benefit the most from reduced incentives are textiles and clothing, plastic products, and fruits, nuts, and vegetables, indicating that Uzbekistan’s export structure is already more diverse than its Central Asian neighbors.
The GSP + scheme offers additional opportunities to increase trade between the EU and Uzbekistan, as tariffs will be lifted on a number of important export goods such as textiles, clothing, and plastic products. Despite its relative proximity to the EU market, the trade potential has not yet been fully exploited, as the EU only ranks seventh on the list of Uzbekistan’s export destinations.
Uzbekistan drops in press freedom rankings
Uzbekistan took 157th place out of 180 in the press freedom rating of Reporters Without Borders, down one position . The decline in the index occurred for the first time since 2018. The situation in the country continues to be assessed as “difficult”.
Uzbekistan went down one position and finished 157th out of 180 in a new ranking of freedom of the press (2021 World Press Freedom Index), compiled by the international non-governmental organization “Reporters without borders» (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) . The situation with freedom of speech in the country is still assessed as “difficult”.
The downgrade of Uzbekistan in the ranking occurred for the first time since 2018, when the country began to improve its position and rose from 169th to 165th place. In 2019, Uzbekistan took 160th place in the index, having left the “black zone” (countries with the worst situation in the field of press independence), and in 2020 – 156th.
The compilers of the rating again note that in Uzbekistan “there can still be no question of criticism of the highest levels of government,” and the authorities themselves “retain significant control over the media.”
Mirziyev’s visit to Turkmenistan
On April 29, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Ashgabat, where he took part in events dedicated to the memory of the father of the head of Turkmenistan, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov.
In addition to participating in memorial events, Mirziyoyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a bilateral meeting and discussed issues of further strengthening the Uzbek-Turkmen relations of friendship, good-neighborliness, and strategic partnership, expanding multifaceted cooperation and regional interaction.
Criminal case against blogger
A criminal case was opened against the blogger Miraziz Bazarov, who was beaten at the end of March at his home in Tashkent.
The blogger is suspected of “libel in print or otherwise reproduced, including posted in the media, telecommunication networks or the world information network Internet (…) for mercenary or other base motives” (paragraph “D”, part 3 of Art. 139 Of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan). The sanction of this article provides for a fine of up to five hundred base calculated values, community service, or restriction of freedom up to three years.
The case against Bazarov was initiated at the request of the teachers at the secondary school No. 110 in the city of Tashkent. The reason for the proceedings was one of Bazarov’s videos posted last October on TikTok.
Bazarov was beaten by unknown persons late in the evening on March 28. He was hospitalized with a concussion and an open leg fracture. Not long before this, the blogger complained about threats of physical violence and the fact that his home address was published on the Internet.
Central Asia
Military conflict on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
On April 28-29, an armed conflict took place on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as a result of which dozens of people were killed, and hundreds were injured. About a dozen villages were also damaged, houses and other objects were burned down. More than 20 thousand people were evacuated.
On the border of the two states, on April 28, a conflict broke out between local residents in the area of the Golovnoy water distribution point, which in Kyrgyzstan is considered its territory, and in Tajikistan – its own. According to the Kyrgyz authorities, Tajik officials have begun installing video cameras on a pole near a water distribution point (replenishing the Tortkul reservoir) in the Batken region. This angered local residents and led to a clash. At first, the sides threw stones at each other, but then the border units of the two countries joined the conflict, which began mutual shelling.
According to the Kyrgyz side, the Golovnoy water distribution hub is a “strategic facility and is located on the territory of Kyrgyzstan”. In turn, Dushanbe claims that in accordance with the maps of 1924-1927 and 1989, “Golovnaya” “belongs entirely to the Republic of Tajikistan.” In many ways, the conflict is associated with the presence of disputed sections on the border of the two countries – out of about 980 km, about 580 km were described in the process of delimitation and demarcation.
On the evening of April 29, the parties agreed on a ceasefire and the withdrawal of forces from the border, but the next day, the exchange of fire on the border resumed.
On May 1, the head of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan Kamchybek Tashiev and the head of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan Saimumin Yatimov, following a meeting in the Batken region, signed a protocol on a ceasefire and a joint inspection of troops in the border area for their further withdrawal to places of permanent deployment.
According to the latest data, Bishkek and Dushanbe expect to complete the process of describing 112 km of the common section of the border by May 9.
183 Kyrgyzstanis applied for medical help, 36 people died, including children. More than 33 thousand people were evacuated from the conflict zone. The Tajik side unofficially reported more than 150 wounded and about 16 dead.
Kyrgyzstan declared May 1-2 days of national mourning.
According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations, 78 houses, two schools, medical and obstetric centre, a kindergarten, a police station, three checkpoints, ten gas stations and eight shops were destroyed in Kyrgyz border villages. Border outposts were also damaged. According to the Tajik side, more than 10 houses were destroyed by fire in the border village of Khoja Alo.
On the fact of clashes on the border with Tajikistan, the law enforcement agencies of Kyrgyzstan opened 11 criminal cases – under articles on mass riots, crimes against peace, hooliganism, destruction or damage to other people’s property, illegal crossing of the state border and murder, and the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kyrgyzstan began pre-trial proceedings under the article “Crime against the peace” of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. In turn, on the fact of the armed attack on the Chorkukh jamoat of the city of Isfara on April 29, committed by a group of military personnel and the local population of Kyrgyzstan, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Tajikistan opened a criminal case.
It is noteworthy that during the current military conflict in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, the CSTO summit was held. It was attended by the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, including the CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas. The crisis on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, at least officially, was not discussed.
Disputes with the use of weapons on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border over the ownership of the territory have occurred repeatedly in recent years with casualties among the military and civilians on both sides. The reasons for the constantly erupting conflicts in the border area are access to water, disputes over land, which are based on unresolved problems of delimitation and demarcation of the border, as well as criminal showdowns arising from the main route of drug smuggling from Afghanistan, through Tajikistan and southern Kyrgyzstan.
The Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan launched the ICTEC (International Center for Trade and Economic Cooperation) Central Asia project
On April 10, at the Zhibek Zholy checkpoint on the Kazakh Uzbek border, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov held talks and took part in the capsule laying ceremony at the construction site of the International Center for Trade and Economic Cooperation (ICTEC) ” Central Asia”.
The parties discussed topical issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in trade, economic, investment, agricultural, transit, transport, tourism, space spheres, industrial cooperation, rational use, and protection of transboundary water resources, as well as interregional and cross-border cooperation. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of joint projects in the automotive industry, processing of agricultural products, as well as the construction of a high-speed railway “Turkestan-Shymkent-Tashkent”.
As a result of the negotiations, A. Mamin and A. Aripov signed an action plan for organizing the activities of ICTEC “Central Asia”, as well as a protocol on joint actions for the development of railway transport.
A trilateral meeting of the heads of Sogd, Fergana and Batken took place in Fergana
A trilateral meeting of the leaders of the Sughd region of Tajikistan, the Fergana region of Uzbekistan and the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan was held on April 23 in Fergana, Uzbekistan.
During the meeting, the head of Sogd Rajabboy Akhmadzoda, the khokim of the Fergana region Khairullo Bozorov and the governor of the Batken region Omurbek Suvanaliev spoke in favor of expanding economic, cultural, and scientific ties between the border regions of the three countries.
At the end of the business forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the regions of the Sughd and Fergana regions: between the city of Kanibadam and the Besharik region, the city of Guliston and the Buvaida region, the Bobojon Gafurov and Dangara regions, the city of Isfara and the region of Uzbekistan, the city of Buston and the Uchkuprik region.
Blinken discussed Afghanistan, pandemic and climate with Central Asian foreign ministers
On April 23, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, during online consultations with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, discussed the progress of the settlement in Afghanistan, the fight against the pandemic, climate change and energy. This is expressed in the statement of the State Department released on Friday.
“The Secretary of State stressed the US commitment to the independence and territorial integrity of the Central Asian states. <…> The parties discussed the peace process in Afghanistan, recovery from the pandemic and climate change,” the text says.
Participants in the consultations also expressed support for the efforts of the working groups on economics, energy, environment, and security to “further advance common objectives.”
Shoigu’s trip to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu conducted a mini tour of the Central Asian countries. At the end of April, he visited Tajikistan, and then flew to Uzbekistan. These trips took place against the backdrop of the withdrawal of American troops from neighboring Afghanistan, which threatens the strengthening of the Taliban and instability in the region.
In Uzbekistan, the Russian Defense Minister presented a program of strategic partnership between the two countries in the military field for 2021-2025, developed for the first time. In Tajikistan, Shoigu signed an agreement on the creation of a unified air defense system and took part in a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries.
For a decade and a half, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan remained important centers for supporting the international military operation in Afghanistan. From 2001 to 2007, French Mirage 2000D fighters and C-135F tankers were based at Dushanbe airport, which were then transferred to Kandahar. According to the CAST, Tajikistan has received military assistance from the United States since 2001 and at least until 2019.
However, Moscow remains Dushanbe’s main security partner. The 201st military base is located in Tajikistan, where, according to some sources, more than six, according to others – about three thousand military personnel. The base includes an air group of Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters based at the Aini military airfield near Dushanbe. Shoigu said Russia and Tajikistan will create a joint integrated air defense system.
Uzbekistan was one of the key partners of the United States in Central Asia during the operation in Afghanistan. From 2001 to 2005, a large American military base “Karshi-Khanabad” operated there, at the military airfield of which transport planes and helicopters were deployed. Tashkent has curtailed cooperation with Washington due to political differences. After that, Russia used the base, but Tashkent’s relations with it were difficult – Uzbekistan twice left the CSTO and does not declare plans to return to the bloc.
Now Russia is trying not so much to increase its presence in the region as to strengthen regional states, experts say. At the same time, it does not seek to create new economic, military, or political blocs, nor to try to change the structure of old ones – rather, it is about building bilateral agreements.
This is partly due to the fact that each of the regional countries is in its own “system” of group agreements together with Russia: Tajikistan is a member of the CSTO but is not a member of the Eurasian Economic Community (it includes Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan), after leaving the CSTO, Uzbekistan remained only in the CIS, Turkmenistan maintains a non-aligned status at all.
Meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council
On April 29-30, in Kazan (Russian Federation), a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council was held in person with the participation of the heads of government of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, the EAEU observer states – Moldova, Cuba and Uzbekistan, the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
The agenda of the meeting included issues related to the implementation of the digital agenda of the EAEU, elimination of obstacles in the internal market of the Union, industrial cooperation, trade, customs cooperation, and the economy.
The next meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will be held on August 19 this year in Kyrgyzstan, the city of Cholpon-Ata.