Central Asia
EU almost invisible at major Silk Road forum in Georgia
No high-level EU Commission official was to be found at the opening of a two-day Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday (22 October), which was attended by 2,000 delegates from some 60 countries, including several EU member states.
Global Eurasia – Connectivity as a driver for peace, stability & security
In the Caucasus Region, power has traditionally been a complex mix of countries’ geography, resources, military capabilities and economic importance. Yet trade and trading routes are often underestimated as a driver for security and stability.
‘Almost impossible’ to rival China’s business clout in Central Asia
“China is coming with an offer nobody can refuse, while the EU is coming with an offer nobody can understand." For many in Central Asia, that phrase – although intended as a joke – best summarises the European way of doing business.
East-West corridor: ‘Hard’ versus ‘soft’ connectivity?
A conference organised by EURACTIV on ‘Global Eurasia – connectivity as a driver for peace, stability and security’ raised questions such as “greener” connectivity, in line with Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen’s priorities. But diplomats from the region were more focused on infrastructure.
Belgian investors give feedback on their Kazakh experience
The deputy foreign minister of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, met with a dozen Belgian investors in Brussels on Wednesday (9 October) to hear about their experience with his country and help solve potential issues.
US blacklists Chinese AI firms in reprisal against repression of Muslim minorities
The US government expanded its trade blacklist to include some of China’s top artificial intelligence startups, punishing Beijing for its treatment of Muslim minorities and ratcheting up tensions ahead of high-level trade talks in Washington this week.
Kazakhstan positions itself as a bridge between Asia and Europe
The main areas that Central Asia region wants to be focused on in the next years are environment protection and trade liberalization. EURACTIV.cz reports from Nur-Sultan.
EU and Japan join forces to counter US and Chinese initiatives
The EU and Japan signed on Friday (27 September) a holistic partnership to promote investment projects based on rules-based and sustainable principles, and to counter the risks posed by the US and China.
Eurasia comes together in Nur-Sultan, but differences are still big
The 21st century should be defined by cooperation between Europe and Asia. That was the message of the fourth Eurasian conference, held in Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan on Tuesday (24 September). However, differences among participants prevented it from achieving concrete results.NewsPromoted content
Kazakhstan’s history of peace, denuclearisation are valuable in time of global risks, says President
As the role of international law and global institutions in maintaining peace and security diminish, Kazakhstan’s history of peace and denuclearisation can serve as a valuable model, Kazakh President told the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.NewsPromoted content
Kazakh, Chinese leaders agree to develop long-term strategic partnership
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during a Sept. 11 meeting in Beijing to “develop a long-term, strategic and comprehensive partnership,” reports the Akorda.NewsPromoted content
Kazakhstan seeks high-tech, agricultural cooperation with China, says Tokayev during Beijing Business Council meeting
Kazakhstan will develop its high-tech sector and elements of Industry 4.0 to increase the degree to which its economy is based on innovation and new technologies, Kazakh President said during the Kazakhstan-China Business Council in Beijing.
Kazakhstan’s new president vows to pursue controlled democratisation
Kazakhstan’s new President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered on Monday (2 September) his first major speech following his election last June, defining his policies in all fields of the economy and society.
Scandals in Kyrgyzstan highlight dubious Chinese business practices
Kyrgyzstan was shaken by a major corruption scandal involving a Chinese company while the country’s capital Bishkek was hosting a ministerial meeting of the five Central Asian countries earlier this month. EU officials told EURACTIV this experience should serve as...
Infographic: EU support for water resilience in Central Asia
Central Asia is facing increasingly severe environmental challenges. The EU is offering help to the region to turn those challenges into opportunities. Enhancing environmental, climate and water resilience is a substantial element of the new EU strategy for Central Asia.
Central Asia ministerial welcomes the EU’s new strategy for the region
Gathered in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Sunday (7 July), the Foreign Ministers of the five Central Asian countries welcomed the new EU Strategy on Central Asia recently adopted by the EU.
EU and Central Asia: A new strategy
On 17 June 2019, the Council adopted a new EU strategy on Central Asia, adapting the EU policy to new opportunities which have emerged in the region.
The EU is a natural partner for Central Asia
In our highly interconnected world of today, Europe and Central Asia have never been so close, and neither have the potential benefits of working even more closely together been so evident, write Federica Mogherini and Neven Mimica.
Kazakhstan Agenda 2019
Following Kazakhstan's presidential elections on June 9th, EURACTIV convened a high level panel of EU and Kazakh dignitaries to discuss how the new President will steer the country's political agenda
The new EU Strategy for Central Asia
On 17 June 2019, the Council adopted a new EU strategy on Central Asia, adapting the EU policy to new opportunities which have emerged in the region. Central Asia has a centuries-old tradition of bringing Europe and Asia together. Kazakhstan, the...
Iran-US tensions dominate two Central Asia summits
Two regional summits held in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan last week had a common denominator: the support from Russia and China to Iran in the face of US threats after two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
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.
