Central Asia
Tusk tests the waters in Central Asia
European Council President Donald Tusk did a tour of three Central Asia countries last week, including Tajikistan, where the melting Pamir Glaciers illustrate the impact of climate change and the difficulties of water management in this part of the world.
Kazakhstan’s electoral mood calls for more ties with Europe
The European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) conducted interviews over the recent presidential elections, revealing a need for further reforms to overcome an oil-dependent economy, while further deepening ties with the European Union (EU), writes Samuel Doveri Vesterbye.
What now for the New Silk Road?
With member states divided, the EU is pursuing a pragmatic approach vis-à-vis China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also raising some issues of concern, writes Fraser Cameron.
New Kazakh leader re-affirms Russia, China ties as EU criticises vote
While the European Union expressed its concerns about the 9 June elections in Kazakhstan, the newly elected leader, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has vowed to enhance cooperation with neighboring Central Asian countries, including Russia and China.
Tokayev triumphs in Kazakh elections amid tensions
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the political “child” of former president Nursultan Nazarbayev who ruled Kazakhstan since Soviet times, was overwhelmingly elected as the new leader of the country on Sunday (9 June), in a vote closely watched by international observers.
Tokayev set for victory as Kazakhstan transitions from Nazarbayev
When Kazakhs go to the polls for a presidential election on Sunday (9 June), they will face something of a novelty – the name of their first president, Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev, will not be on the ballot.
Kazakhstan: getting ready to make a new step forward
Kazakhstan, the ninth largest country in the world, with an area the size of Western Europe and a population of more than 18 million citizens, is tomorrow testing the maturity of its democracy, writes Beibut Atamkulov, the country's foreign minister.NewsPromoted content
EAEU summit emphasises cooperation, ties with China and Serbia and commemorates Nazarbayev’s contributions
Participants at the May 29 Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit here discussed cooperation within the union, efforts to strengthen its relationship with non-union countries as well as noted its goals and achievements.
Is Turkey the Western anchor of the New Silk Road?
Despite sharing growing strategic interests with Russia and China, Ankara remains economically much more closely integrated with the West, if not even dependent, writes Nicola P. Contessi.NewsPromoted content
Education, economy and social justice among topics of televised presidential candidates’ debate
Four Kazakh presidential candidates and three of their representatives discussed social and economic issues and how to solve them in a May 29 live televised debate at the Kazmedia Centre in the capital.
EU-Kazakhstan: Elections, trade and transition
A small cultural contextualisation may prove helpful when discussing political reform in Kazakhstan, says Samuel Doveri Vesterbye. Here it is.
The football tournament you’ve never heard of
Eight football teams will duel it out in the foothills of the Caucasus this month to decide which is the best in Europe. But you will not find Germany, Italy or Spain on the match list and none of the teams taking part are fully recognised by the international community.NewsPromoted content
New EU-Central Asia strategy seeks mitigating global risks via close cooperation, says EU ambassador to Kazakhstan
Global challenges and risks can be dealt with via closer cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Central Asia, said Ambassador Sven-Olov Carlsson on May 23 during the Day of Europe in Kazakhstan.
Internet censorship eased as EU Council chief visits Tajikistan
Ex-Soviet Tajikistan appeared to unblock several popular websites and Google services during European Council President Donald Tusk’s visit to the country as part of a regional tour Thursday. Tusk was holding talks with veteran Tajik leader Emomali Rakhmon Thursday (30...NewsPromoted content
Kazakhstan’s next president will have opportunity to advance country’s ongoing reforms
Presidential candidates are competing for Kazakhstan’s highest office in the June 9 presidential election, and the candidate elected into office will have to address the most salient economic, social, regional and institutional issues to secure the country’s continued development.
Kazakhstan calls EU’s new Central Asia strategy ‘visionary’
Kazakhstan welcomes the EU's new vision for a stronger partnership with Central Asia, particularly as it took into account the country's proposals, its deputy foreign minister told EURACTIV and called the document, due to be adopted next month, "visionary".
Bannon under fire at Kazakhstan media conference
The Eurasian Media Forum is an annual international discussion platform that has gathered hundreds of delegates from across the world in Kazakhstan since 2002. But it never got such publicity as this year, because one of them was Steve Bannon,...
What next for Kazakhstan after the elections?
The next President of Kazakhstan will have to oversee that there is no backsliding in economic, social and political reforms, and reassure international partners that the external policy of the country remains unchanged, writes Eli Hadzieva.NewsPromoted content
China-Europe rail route through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus exceeds expectations in 2019, says UTLC ERA President
The China-Europe railroad shipment route that crosses Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus has become more popular due to the efforts of the United Transport and Logistics Company – Eurasian Rail Alliance (UTLC ERA) and participating countries, said President Alexey Grom.
Kazakhstan takes its presidential elections seriously
Kazakhs will vote for a new President on 9 June and, for the first time since the country’s independence, Nursultan Nazarbayev is not running. Diplomats say the winner will certainly be Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, but six other candidates have joined the race.NewsPromoted content
European Commission adopts strategy to deepen relations with Central Asia
The European Commission adopted on 15 May a new strategy on relations with Central Asia, meant to deepen relations and capitalise on the region’s growing influence.
EU puts hope in Kazakhstan in helping unlock the WTO knot
At the Astana Economic Forum, a representative of the EU hinted that the host country, Kazakhstan, could play a role in helping to bridge differences over the reform of the World Trade Organisation
Kazakhstan: New political realities
Kazakhstan’s first president Nursultan Nazarbayev surprisingly resigned on 19 March and announced that the Speaker of the Senate, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will serve as interim leader before the next presidential election, which will take place on 9 June.
At Nur-Sultan forum, leaders advise focus on education
Kazakhstan is investing in human capital and plans to become one of the world’s 30 most advanced nations by 2050. At a recent conference in the capital Nur-Sultan, leaders and economists offered advice, valid also for other countries as well: to focus on education.
