Energy and Economy

 

Rogun Dam Project is under Scrutiny

World Bank’s financing of the $8 billion Rogun Dam Project in Tajikistan attracted allegations of impropriety. Bank officials face scrutiny under the accusations that they did not comply with sufficient environmental procedures to mitigate the environmental and socio-economic impact of the project. On April 8, the World Bank’s Inspection Panel issued a statement on the involvement of the bank. World Bank officials have three weeks to respond to the complaint, followed by a decision of the Bank to approve further investigation. A late 2024 complaint alleged that the World Bank approved funding based on outdated data and failed to adequately consult affected communities in Tatan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Source: Eurasianet

Czechia Taps Kazakhstani Uranium for Clean Energy Push

On April 17, Kazakhstan’s state-owned uranium producer Kazatomprom signed a seven-year supply deal with Czech energy giant ČEZ to deliver natural uranium concentrates, covering about one-third of the fuel needs for the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant. The agreement, sealed in Prague, strengthens Czechia’s energy security and supports the VIZE 2030 plan for net-zero emissions. It also reflects Kazatomprom’s broader strategy to diversify its markets and expand its footprint in Europe as the world’s largest uranium producer.

Source: Daryo

Uzbekistan and Germany Finalize SME Development Loan

On April 17, Uzbekistan and the German Development Bank finalized a loan program of €23.5 million, and an additional grant of €3 million, aimed at small and medium enterprise (SME) business development. The final agreement was signed by Uzbek and German officials during a meeting in Uzbekistan. The loan is the latest phase of the "Micro, Small and Medium Business Development" between Uzbekistan and Germany. 

Source: Daryo

Politics and Security

 

Baku Hosts Türkiye-Israel Talks to Ease Tensions

On April 17, Azerbaijan hosted a meeting between delegations from Türkiye and Israel to discuss military deconfliction in Syria, with both sides presenting their regional concerns. Israel reportedly emphasized that any Turkish military presence near Palmyra would be a red line, while Türkiye clarified that the talks did not signify normalization but aimed to avoid clashes, similar to mechanisms it has with other regional powers. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue between the two countries.

Source: Caspian News

Russia Delists Taliban, Paving Way for Formal Ties

On April 17, Russia officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, acknowledging it as the legitimate leadership of Afghanistan. The move, delivered by Russia’s Supreme Court at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office, formalizes years of informal diplomatic engagement and opens the door to broader cooperation. It follows a 2024 legislative amendment enabling reclassification of entities deemed no longer involved in terrorism. This shift aligns Russia with regional neighbors like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which have already delisted the Taliban amid efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and counter regional threats like Islamic State-Khorasan.

Source: bne Intellinews

Caucasus Deputy FMs Meet in Tbilisi

The Deputy Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan met for talks on April 17 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The meeting follows joint participation by all three countries Foreign Ministers at the Antalya Forum earlier in April. The meeting produced a joint document that described the talks as a “an initial phase designed to build trust and pave the way for the eventual advancement of the dialogue to a higher level.” The meeting was also attended by Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, who emphasized the South Caucasus as “a region of strategic importance, with immense potential.”

Source: OC Media

Azerbaijan’s FM Re-Iterates Demand for “Unhindered” Transit Through Armenia 

Speaking on April 17, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov re-emphasized Baku’s position that “Azerbaijan requires a special approach to establishing a connection between the western regions and Nakhchivan,” the Azerbaijani exclave separated from Azerbaijan by Armenia.  Bayramov went on to say “For Azerbaijan, this passage must be truly unhindered, with no obstacles. This is an obligation that should not allow any future changes in Armenian legislation to alter this situation in the short, medium, or long term.” Negotiations over a transit-corridor through Armenia to Nakhchivan have been a contentious sticking point in peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Baku pushing to establish such a corridor without Armenian checkpoints or customs.  

Source: APA 

Italian PM To Visit Kazakhstan

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni is slated to visit Uzbekistan on April 25 and Kazakhstan on April 26 following an invitation from Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The trip will feature high-level talks on strategic ties between Italy and Central Asia as well as what Kazakh media has described as the first ever “Central Asia – Italy summit” on April 27, although details around participation and potential delegations remains sparse. 

Source: Astana Times

President of Azerbaijan to Visit China

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will conduct a state visit to China on April 22-26. Aliyev was invited to visit China by President Xi Jinping. The trip comes after the 10^th intergovernmental commission meeting between the two countries held on April 16, where it was announced that a mutual visa-free travel agreement is expected to be signed during the upcoming visit of Aliyev to China. Azerbaijan remains China’s top trading partner in the South Caucasus with bilateral trade at $3.7 billion in 2023.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China , Caucasus Watch, Anadolu Agency

President of the Kyrgyz Republic Makes First Official Visit to Bahrain

On April 21, at the invitation of King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov paid his first official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the trip, the parties are expected to discuss current issues on the development and expansion of bilateral Kyrgyz Bahraini cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other interactions.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic