Economy and Energy

Caspian Pipeline Consortium Partially Suspends Operations

Citing damage to two out of the three oil terminals, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium announced that damaged terminals would be temporarily out of service. Shareholders in the pipeline had previously been made aware of the issues, and the pipeline will continue operations at a reduced capacity.

Source: Fergana News Agency

Turkmenistan Signs Bilateral Transportation Cooperation Agreements

Turkmenistan signed bilateral agreements with Georgia, Moldova, and Russia on transportation. Turkmenistan reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia’s Transport Minister on developing international road transportation, and a similar document with Moldova’s deputy prime minister. Turkmenistan also signed an agreement on sea transport between itself and Georgia.

Source: Caspian News

Saudi Arabia Promises $14 Billion in Investment in Uzbekistan

Returning from Saudi Arabia, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s office reported that they have received promises for $14 billion in investment, including $12 billion to address chronic energy shortages in Uzbekistan. The agreements include a Saudi energy firm building a 1.5-gigawatt wind farm in Karakalpakstan.

Source: Eurasianet

Security and Politics

Senior Armenian and Azerbaijani Officials Meet in Belgium

Armen Grigorian, secretary of Armenia’s national security council, and Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy advisor to the president of Azerbaijan, met in Brussels for the first time since recent escalation between the two countries. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Tovio Klaar described the conversation as “good and substantive.”

Source: RFE/RL

China to Send Troops to Russia for Joint Military Exercises

Beijing says it will send a contingent of troops to Russia to attend joint military drills along with India, Belarus, Mongolia, and Tajikistan. The Chinese Defense Ministry said on August 17 that participation in the joint exercises is "unrelated to the current international and regional situation," referencing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Source: RFE/RL

Kyrgyzstan to Repatriate Bodies of Kyrgyz Citizens Killed in Accident in Russia

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has ordered the Foreign Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, and the country's airport administration to organize the expedited repatriation of 14 Kyrgyzstan citizens killed in a traffic accident in Russia’s Ulyanovsk region over the weekend. A nationwide day of mourning has been set for August 23.

Source: RFE/RL

Israel and Turkey Restore Full Diplomatic Relations, Supported by Azerbaijan

The Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan stated that Baku played an important role in helping to mend relations between Israel and Turkey. Israel and Turkey have agreed to restore full diplomatic relations.

Source: Azernews

(Sources: Azernews, Caspian News, Eurasainet, Fergana News Agency, RFE/RL)