Central Asia

Kazakhstan takes measures to offset relaxation of COVID-19 measures

The international community recognised the successes of the measures taken by Kazakhstan during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring. Things have changed since then, however, and this time, Kazakhstan needs to respond to an increase of cases resulting from relaxation of measures.

Kazakhstan President addresses the nation, announces national day of mourning

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a series of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country on Wednesday (8 July), warning his countrymen that the situation remains serious and declaring 13 July a national day of mourning in memory of the pandemic's victims.

Kazakhstan: recovery and renewal

As Kazakhstan faces a new wave on the pandemic that forced authorities to reimpose a two-week quarantine, the country ponders its future in a post-COVID-19 world.

Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev turns 80 amid celebrations marred by new lockdown

Kazakhstan's veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev turns 80 on Monday (6 July) but the streets in the Central Asian country are set to be empty as a new period of lockdown begins and celebrations of his birthday and the 'national capital day', have been cancelled or moved online.

Kazakhstan’s ‘unique’ leadership transition marks its first anniversary

On 12 June, Kazakhstan will mark the first anniversary of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's election as president. EURACTIV looks into the unique transition of power between Nursultan Nazarbayev, who re-established statehood after the Soviet domination, and Tokayev, who spearheads 'controlled democratisation'.

Kazakhstan adopts a new law on rallies encouraging pluralism

Kazakhstan adopted the new law on peaceful assemblies, continuing its path of “controlled democratisation" with more liberal legislation that analysts said is helping to develop strong multi-party democracy.

Kazakhstan approves new green projects in a bid to cut fossil fuels in half by 2050

Kazakhstan‘s new leadership, faced with concurrent challenges of volatile oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic, has approved nineteen new renewable energy projects worth $1.1 billion in the country’s latest effort to go green and diversify its energy supply. To date,...

Uzbekistan pushes back against Russian criticism over language policy

Uzbekistan on Monday (18 May) pushed back against Russian criticism of its plans to enforce the use of the Uzbek language in the civil service, in a rare rebuke of Moscow by Tashkent amid otherwise warm ties.

Kazakhstan fends off allegations it is developing biological weapons

Kazakhstan is not developing biological weapons or researching their possible use against other countries, its ministry of foreign affairs said on Saturday (2 May), denying allegations circulated in Russian and domestic media that the country is working on biological weapons similar to COVID-19

Kazakhstan builds COVID-19 hospital in just two weeks

In only 13 days, Kazakhstan has built a new hospital for patients infected with coronavirus in the capital Nur-Sultan, a feat comparable only to what China achieved earlier this year.

Kazakhstan provides humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, Kazakhstan has offered humanitarian aid to its Central Asian neighbours Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, answering a request by Bishkek and Dushanbe.

Kazakhstan takes decisive steps to stop the spread of coronavirus

Despite the relatively small numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and a first death reported on Thursday (26 March), the authorities in Kazakhstan, a country neighbouring China, are taking the coronavirus pandemic very seriously.

Uzbekistan to become observer in Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union

Uzbekistan will become an observer in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) before deciding if it wants to become a full member of the trade bloc, the Tashkent government said on Saturday (7 March).

Civil Society – the EU’s best partner in Central Asia

The EU needs to put civil society at the heart of its strategy to rebuild its political presence in Central Asia, writes Barbara von Ow-Freytag.

Kazakhstan will remain ‘locomotive’ of Eurasian integration – President

Kazakhstan and Russia, which are among the founders of the EAEU, will continue to remain the “locomotives” of Eurasian integration, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday (15 February). Tokayev, who was elected last June...

Europe’s Southern Gas Corridor ‘almost ready’, says Azebaijan’s SOCAR

A 25-year supply contract has been signed with Italy, and the first Azeri gas is expected to start flowing before the end of 2020, said Vitaly Baylarbayov, deputy vice president of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.

United States accuses WTO’s Appellate Body of overreach in dispute handling

The US Trade Representative's office on Tuesday (11 February) accused the World Trade Organization's Appellate Body, which decides trade disputes between member countries, of "persistent overreaching" and failure to comply with WTO rules.

People in Azerbaijan ‘have a desire to be active’, says newly-elected MP

Azeri people were excited about the elections and have a desire for change, assures Soltan Mammadov, an independent candidate for the 125-seat parliament of Azerbaijan who spoke to EURACTIV as the polling sections were closing on Sunday (9 February).

Uzbekistan resists as US seeks to rally Central Asians against China

Uzbekistan on Monday (3 February) gently resisted Washington’s efforts to rally China’s central Asian neighbors against Beijing over its treatment of Muslim minorities, a contentious issue for the region which has close economic ties to China.

Germany launches ‘Green Central Asia’ initiative

A high-level ministerial conference in Berlin launched on Tuesday (28 January) the ‘Green Central Asia’ initiative, intended to support regional integration between the five Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who hosted the conference, stressed that...

Uzbekistan is open for ‘conscientious foreign investors’, seeks ‘honesty vaccine’

The president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, addressed the newly formed parliament on Friday (24 January), laying out his plans for the next five years. The banking sector, fighting corruption, foreign direct investment, poverty reduction and international trade were at the...

Azerbaijan: remembering red carnations and looking into the future

Hikmat Hajiev, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration talks about the state of play of EU-Azerbaijan relations, geopolitics, trade and violent Soviet repression.

Croatian Presidency praises Kazakhstan for readiness to host ‘difficult’ WTO ministerial

The Croatian EU Presidency praised Kazakhstan on Monday (20 January) for its initiative to host a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at a time when the world trade body is facing a deep crisis.