Energy and Economy

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Sign Preferential Trade Agreement & Joint Action Plan 

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov and a delegation from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan signed a Preferential Trade Agreement and a Joint Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Action Plan during last week’s Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum. According to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Preferential Trade Agreement aims to reduce tariff barriers and establishing new means of export development, job creation, and industrialization to increase bilateral trade between the neighbors. The Joint Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Action Plan seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation between Kabul and Tashkent on trade, logistics, agriculture, capacity building, and industry. 

Source: Ariananews 

Colorado School of Mines set to open in Kazakhstan next year

The Colorado School of Mines will establish a campus in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on the grounds of the Ulytau Technical University. The campus will offer a range of bachelor’s programs for aspiring mining industry specialists. The Colorado School of Mines ranks No.1 globally in the field of mineral & mining engineering.

Source:  Times of Central Asia

Nvidia and Firebird to Invest $500 Million in Armenian AI Project

American computer technology firms Nvidia and Firebird have announced a plan to invest $500 million into an artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputer project in Armenia in 2026.  The project, championed by Armenian diaspora tech entrappers such as Nvidia's Vice President, Rev Lebaredian, will provide AI cloud computer services to companies based in Armenia and abroad, with officials saying the project will spur economic and tech development throughout the Caucasus. Reacting to the announcement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke in support of the initiative, saying that state will work to provide the project with the require 100 megawatts of power. 

Source: OC Media

 

Rosatom To Build Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant 

The Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Atomic Energy has completed the process of selecting a leading company for the consortium tasked with constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant. After a review, the shortlist of potential vendors included Rosatom (Russia), China National Nuclear Corporation (China), Électricité de France (France), and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (South Korea). Based on the results, the Russian company, Rosatom, has been designated as the leader of the international consortium for the project. Currently, in line with Rosatom's proposals, efforts have begun to secure state export financing from the Russian Federation. 

Source: Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy ; The Astana Times

Panel Discussion on the Middle Corridor Held in Prague

As a part of the GLOBSEC 2025 forum in Prague, the Baku-based Center of Analysis of International Relations held a panel discussion on the Middle Corridor, titled “The Middle Corridor: A New Geopolitical and Economic Lifeline?” The panel featured Hikmet Hajiyev, who serves as Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs; Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti, a Senior Research Fellow at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI); and Hüseyin Bağcı, a professor at the Middle East Technical University. During the discussion, Hikmet Hajiyev highlighted the importance of the Middle Corridor for regional connectivity and commented on Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative.” He also underlined the importance of “security and stability” for the East-West Corridor and Azerbaijan’s commitment to ensure peace in the region. 

Source: AZERTAC

 

Politics and Security 

Caucasus Reaction to Israel-Iran War

Armenia and Azerbaijan, both of which border Iran, have released statements in reaction to the air attacks between Iran and Israel, launched with a June 12 bombing of Iranian sites by Israeli air forces. Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement via X, condemning the initial Israeli strikes and describing them as a “unilateral attack against Iran,” adding that the attack “endangers the peaceful efforts as well as overall regional stability & global peace.” Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry took a more restrained tone, saying “while resolutely condemning the escalation of the situation, we urge the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic means.” Several Israeli strikes since have hit Iran’s northwestern regions, close to Armenia and Azerbaijan and with majority ethnic Azerbaijani populations. Armenia dispatched nuclear monitors to its southern region to monitor radiation levels but found normal levels. 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijani Republic, Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (X), NBC News, OC Media

United States Urges its Citizens to Leave Iran via Azerbaijan

On June 15, the U.S. virtual embassy in Iran posted a notice urging all U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Iran and to depart Iran immediately, if they are there. U.S. citizens are encouraged to consider leaving Iran through the border with Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Türkiye. The notice mentions that although Azerbaijan's land borders remain closed, “Americans will be able to cross the Astara checkpoint on June 15 with special permission." Following the clashes between Israel and Iran, Azerbaijan opened a special checkpoint in Astara to facilitate the evacuation of certain foreign citizens from Iran.

Source: U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran, Trend News Agency.

Armenian Prime Minister Spoke at a Panel in Prague

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived in Prague on a working visit, took part in panel the discussion, “Seizing the Moment: Forging Lasting Partnerships in the Neighborhood,” at the GLOBSEC 2025 forum. There, Pashinyan answered questions on European integration, relations with Russia, democratization, and establishing long-term peace with neighboring countries. Pashinyan reminded the audience of current laws on starting the EU integration process but highlighted that Armenia will not sever its relationship with Russia in its attempt to have a balanced foreign policy. The Prime Minister also mentioned successful peaceful negotiations with Azerbaijan, which countries are about to finalize and sign. 

Source: Hetq.am

Poland Building EU Majority to End Visa-Free Travel for Georgia

Speaking during a parliamentary session in Warsaw on June 11, Polish Prime Minister Doland Tusk stated that Poland is currently working to garner support among a majority of EU member states to terminate or restrict visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to the European Union, citing democratic backsliding in Georgia and migration concerns. Noting pro-European sentiments in Georgia, Tusk stated, “I apologize to those Georgians who may feel offended, but more broadly, I strongly support restricting visa-free travel from countries, like Georgia, that no longer uphold basic democratic standards and from which migration presents a direct threat.” Georgian citizens gained visa-free entry to the EU in 2017, but years since have seen a steep deterioration in Georgia-EU relations under the rule of the Georgian Dream party.

Source: Civil.ge

Central Asia – China Summit this Week

On June 16, China’s President Xi Jinping will arrive in Astana, Kazakhstan, to attend the second Central Asia – China Summit the following day. This will be the second Central Asia – China Summit, with the first having been held in 2023. In addition to Xi and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym Jomart Tokayev, the heads of state of the other four Central Asian republics will attend the summit. The trip will be Xi’s sixth to Kazakhstan since he assumed leadership in Beijing, making it his second-most visited foreign destination after Russia. 

Source: South China Morning Post