Energy and Economy

Kazakhstan Establishes Nuclear Agency Under President

On March 14, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan announced the formation of a Nuclear Energy Agency under his office, highlighting nuclear’s strategic importance. During a session of the Kurultai, Tokayev also emphasized the need to fully harness the country’s potential in gas and coal power generation, alongside advancing renewable energy. Kazakhstan is currently in the process of constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant. 

Source: Trend News Agency

Uzbekistan Launches $2.6 Billion Iniative to Develop Minerals & Mining Sector

Uzbekistan has launched a $2.6 billion initiative to develop its mineral sector, aiming to become a key supplier of rare earths to U.S. industries. Announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 7, the three-year plan includes 76 projects targeting minerals like tungsten, lithium, titanium, and vanadium. The goal is to boost domestic manufacturing while attracting U.S. investment. The initiative builds on growing U.S.-Uzbek cooperation, including a September 2024 memorandum of understanding and previous dialogues under the C5+1 format.

Source: Eurasianet

Israel and Azerbaijan Ink Strategic Energy Agreement

On March 17, Azerbaijan and Israel signed an agreement to grant a consortium led by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) a license for gas exploration in Israel's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Mediterranean Sea. A consortium of UK-based supermajor BP, Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas firm SOCAR, and Israeli company NewMed Energy signed a licensing agreement to explore for natural gas offshore Israel. Along with this project, SOCAR announced on January 31, 2025, that it had concluded a deal with Union Energy to acquire a 10% stake in the Tamar project, one of the largest offshore gas fields in the Mediterranean.

Source: Oilprice.com, Report.az

Kazakhstan and EU Boost Collaboration on Critical Raw Materials and Regional Connectivity

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela visited Kazakhstan on March 13, where he held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu. The visit resulted in key agreements aimed at bolstering sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity. A €200 million framework loan agreement was signed between the European Investment Bank and Kazakhstan’s Development Bank, focused on investments in sustainable transport and renewable energy. Additionally, a €3 million contract was signed to enhance collaboration on critical raw materials, supporting sustainable supply chains. The EU remains Kazakhstan’s top trade and investment partner, with bilateral trade reaching $49.7 billion in 2024.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Macron Hosts Mirziyoyev, Agreements on Energy and More

France’s President Emmanuel Macron hosted Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Paris for a state visit March 11–13, marked by lavish celebrations. Among the various agreements produced by the visit, was a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a 526 MW hybrid energy project, a variety of agreements relating to water management and purification, the creation of joint strategic coordination group, and a number of cultural exchange initiatives, such as a joint France-Uzbekistan university to be opened in 2025. President Macron also awarded Mirziyoyev with France’s Order of the Legion of Honor.

Source: Daryo

Politics and Security 

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Sign Historic Border Peace Deal

On March 13, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a historic agreement to resolve their long-standing border dispute, finalizing delimitation after years of violent clashes. The deal now awaits parliamentary ratification, expected before Presidents Sadry Japarov and Emomali Rahmon meet with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 31 to discuss regional cooperation and development in the Ferghana Valley.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Azerbaijan and Armenia Agree to Text of Historic Peace Deal

On March 13, Azerbaijan and Armenia policy makers announced that both sides had agreed to the text of a peace agreement that would see the final end to the decades-long conflict between the two countries. According to official statements, Armenia has accepted two remaining articles, the withdraw of international legal claims against either party and the barring of third-party representatives along the largely undemarcated border. Azerbaijan’s statements have continued to emphasize the desire for Armenia to modify its constitution, with the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry describing it as a “prerequisite to allow the signing of the negotiated text.”

Source: APA, Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia

International Reaction to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

Following the March 13 announcement that Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to the text of a peace agreement, international leaders stated their approval of what looks to be a break-through development in peace negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement noting that “[t]he United States commends Armenia and Azerbaijan for concluding negotiations on a historic peace treaty.” French President Emmanual Macron likewise commented, "I welcome the announcement of the conclusion of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan." Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, called the agreement “a decisive step towards the full normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” While Russia has not yet released an official statement on the issue, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin discussed the issue during a March 14 phone call, in which Putin reportedly expressed his support.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Reuters, Armenpress

Trump’s Special Envoy Visits Azerbaijan

On March 14, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan. Witkoff’s visit came after an overnight trip to Moscow, Russia, where he held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Details about Witkoff’s visit to Azerbaijan were scant, with the bulk of news regarding his trip reporting that the the visit “could have been related to a growing strategic alliance between the US, Azerbaijan, and Israel.”

Source: Jerusalem Post

Trump Moves to Shutter Radio Free Europe, Voice of America

Radio Free Europe (RFE) and Voice of America (VoA), two publicly funded American media outlets that have provided reporting in East Europe and Eurasia for decades, now face the prospect of closure after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating their funding. The Trump administration has pursued intensive funding cuts throughout the federal government, often directly contradicting congressionally mandated spending. In reaction, the Czech Republic is now appealing to receive Radio Free Europe’s U.S. funds with European Union support. RFE’s Europe office is located in the Czech Republic’s capital, Prague. 

Source: BBC

Poland and Türkiye Forge Defense Partnership

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed his March 12 meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a historic breakthrough in bilateral relations, with both countries committing to enhance defense and arms production cooperation. As NATO allies, Poland and Türkiye emphasized the growing importance of their collaboration considering potential future threats from Russia. Erdoğan highlighted the strategic partnership, noting the shared tradition of over 600 years of relations. Both leaders also discussed Ukraine’s peace efforts, with Türkiye proposing a ceasefire and further negotiations, and economic ties, with Türkiye-Poland trade having reached $12.6 billion in 2024. Erdoğan is set to visit Warsaw in April.

Source: bneintellinews

Tokayev Forecasts More Nationalist Approach Amid Global Shifts

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym Jomart Tokayev delivered an address to a governmental meeting on March 14 in which he is reported as having stated that amid shifting geo-politics, “globalism is losing relevance, giving way to state nationalism, the struggle for spheres of influence, and the regionalization of global politics.” Tokayev went on to say that “to protect our national interests, we must continue to act pragmatically and rationally.”

Source: The Astana Times

Saakashvili Sentenced to Additional Years, Prison Term Extended until 2032

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili now faces an extended prison sentence until 2032 after having been convicted on March 12 of misappropriation of funds and on March 17 was convicted of illegally entering Georgia in 2021. Saakashvili, who governed Georgia from 2004 to 2013, had already been held by authorities since his arrest in 2021, whereafter he was charged with a number of crimes, including the violent suppression of protests in 2007. The former president had headed the United National Movement party, which the ruling Georgian Dream party has pledged to destroy.

Source: POLITICO