Headlines from the Caspian: June 30, 2026
Recent Articles
Author: Caspian Policy Center
06/30/2026
Energy and Economy
Tokayev and EU Sign Middle Corridor MoU’s Woth Over $12 Billion
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s June 23 trip to Brussels resulted in MoU’s for development of the Middle Corridor likely to be above $12 billion, including a deal worth over $7 billion for 50 Airbus passenger jets. Additionally, Tokayev and the EU leadership discussed future cooperation in the spheres of critical minerals, energy, and transport, among other areas, as part of the EU’s ‘Global Gates’ Program.
Source: Eurasianet, Akorda
Kazakhstan, China Set Sights on $100 Billion in Trade Turnover
At the ninth China-Eurasia Expo, held in Urumqi on June 25, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin of Kazakhstan met with Vice Premier of the State Council of China Ding Xuexiang, to discuss relations and areas for future cooperation. Trade turnover between China and Kazakhstan, invited to the Expo as a ‘guest country
of honor,’ reached $50 billion in 2025
DFC Allocates $25 million for Expansion of Poti Sea Port in Georgia
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) signed a $25 million loan with PACE Group to support Georgia’s New Sea Port of Poti terminal. This investment builds on $50 million the DFC had already provided in 2020 to expand the existing port. The project will increase the port’s capacity by one million tons, improving the efficiency of the Middle Corridor. The new investment is especially important as delays in the construction of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port hamper the elimination of key bottlenecks on the trade route.
Source: The Caspian Post
Russia Suspends Seafood Imports from Armenia
In a continuation of Moscow restricting Armenian imports, all but two fish processing plants have been banned from trading with Russia. Under the banner of health and safety, fish products have joined the ranks of other restricted items like seeds, flowers, wood, and fertilizer. Moscow denies that the ban on fish products is politically motivated.
Source: The Moscow Times
China to Finance 50% of Kyrgyzstan’s Section of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a $304.5 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China to fund construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway. This sum equals 50% of the funding necessary to complete Kyrgyzstan’s section of the railway. The completed railway will carry up to 15 million tons of cargo per year and provide additional rail links to China, which is currently connected to Central Asia only via Kazakhstan.
Source: 24.kg, The Times of Central Asia
Kazakhstan’s Gas and Oil Output Down After Drone Attack on Russian Plant
Kazakhstan’s oil and condensate output has fallen by approximately 25% following a Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian gas processing plant in Orenburg. Oil and gas from the Karachaganak field typically are processed at the facility. The field is operated by a consortium that includes Eni, Shell, Chevron, Lukoil, and KazMunayGaz. Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister, Erlan Akkenzhenov, said that gas intake has been reduced, but gas supplies within Kazakhstan remain uninterrupted.
Source: Reuters
Chinese Conglomerate Secures Multi-Billion Green-Energy Deal in Uzbekistan
China’s state-owned conglomerate, Sinopec Engineering Group, reached an agreement with Australia-based Allied biofuels to construct a $6.1 billion biorefinery project in Uzbekistan. The refinery is expected to produce annually over 400,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. Due to Sinopec’s extensive involvement in the project, it will likely be paid the majority of the project’s projected $6.1B cost.
Source: Eurasianet
Uzbekistan Presents $2.8B Project Portfolio to Eurasian Development Bank
Uzbek delegates participated at the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) annual summit in Almaty June 25-26. This marked Uzbekistan’s first attendance as a shareholder of the EDB. Member states passed the 2027-2031 EDB Development Strategy, while Uzbekistan called for further cooperation on key issues like energy security, water management, and logistical connectivity. On the sidelines, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Khurram Teshabaev met with Chairman of the EDB Management Board Nikolai Podguzov, where they reviewed a portfolio of 36 potential joint investment projects valued at about $2.8B.
Kazakhstan Launches Construction of $1.4B Wind Power Project
One of Kazakhstan’s largest green-energy investment projects, a 1-gigawatt wind power plant in southern Kazakhstan, has begun construction. The project, with investment valued at about $1.4B, is expected to help address electricity shortages in Kazakhstan’s southern regions and to contribute to the country’s renewable energy development. A key feature is the integration of wind generation with a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 600 MWh.
Source: Trend.az, Caspian News
Freight Volumes along Middle Corridor via Georgia Rise by 21%
Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Miriam Kvrivishvili announced the new figure, representing the first five months of 2026, at a ceremony marking the start of the second phase of construction of the new Poti Sea Port. Kvrivishvili stated that this port project represents an effective response to growing demand in Georgia’s transport and logistics sector, with the volume of cargo passing through Georgia increasing significantly.
Source: Georgia Today, Trend.az
Politics and Security
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Complete New Stage of Border Demarcation
As part of the ongoing demarcation of their shared border, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan exchanged land plots of equal size, resulting in two villages – Chongara and Tash-Tobo, home to about 2,500 ethnic Kyrgyz – being transferred from Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley Region to Kyrgyzstan. The agreement also includes a 236 hectare land swap to facilitate the construction of a new road between Sai and Tayan, reducing travel between Aidarken and Batken from 225 km to just 55 km. The latest exchange marks another step in resolving long-standing border disputes and improving regional connectivity.
Source: GazetaUZ, Askat Alagozov
Uzbekistan’s World Cup Campaign Comes to a Close in the United States
The men’s national football team of Uzbekistan completed its first ever participation in the World Cup, marking the first time any Central Asian country has ever competed in the tournament. The team began its campaign in Mexico City on June 17, where winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored Uzbekistan’s first goal of the tournament in a defeat to Colombia. The team then traveled to the United States, where it fell to Portugal on June 23 in Houston. The team was ultimately eliminated from the competition after losing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 27.
Source: FIFA
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Agree to Paperless Cross-Border Permit Regime by 2027
Kazakhstan and Armenia will implement a new electronic permit system for cross-border transit of cargo, beginning in 2027. As reported, 6,000 electronic permits have been exchanged between the two states for 2026, while preliminary quotas are set to reach 28,000 in 2027. The decision was made at the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Commission on International Road Freight Transport
Source: Qazinform, Caspian Post
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Comments on “Armenia’s EU Accession Process”
According to Russian media reports, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin emphasized Armenia’s growing orientation toward the European Union in an interview, citing Armenia’s law on EU accession, which was passed in April. Although he noted that many countries have "aspired" to EU membership for decades before achieving accession, he argued that the law nonetheless represents "practical steps to bring Armenia closer to the European Union." Galuzin also criticized Armenia’s support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, particularly his participation in the EU-Armenia summit in May.
