Energy and Economy

 

North Macedonia and Azerbaijan Sign MoU for Gas Supply

On November 14, in Skopje, North Macedonia’s state-owned energy company, Elektranina Severna Makedonija (ESM), and Azerbaijan’s state-owned SOCAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhancing cooperation in the energy sector. The MoU outlines plans to expand the supply of Azerbaijani natural gas to North Macedonia starting in the 2024 winter season. 

Source: Reuters

On the Sidelines of COP29, Uzbekistan-Saudi Power Deal

In Baku, Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the world climate summit, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power for a $1.1B deal to construct electricity storage systems with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatt-hours. The Saudi firm is seeking to develop energy projects throughout Central Asia and has previously constructed energy infrastructure in Uzbekistan. 

Source: Daryo

COP29 Presidency Launches Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery 

On November 15, the COP29 Presidency launched the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery (BCCAP), in collaboration with Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The initiative, launched by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, is aimed at addressing climate change, conflict, and humanitarian needs. As a part of the initiative, the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub was established as a coordination platform to deliver pledges to mitigate climate challenges.

Source: COP29

Tajikistan to Consider Joining Green Corridor Between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Juma stated that Tajikistan is “generally ready to consider” joining the green-corridor project with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Daler said that although Tajikistan has yet to be approached regarding the project, “It is obvious that for Central Asian countries, such as Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, such initiatives are important and require development.” Last week in Azerbaijan, the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a strategic partnership to establish a Caspian green-energy corridor, via which green energy from Central Asia would be exported to Europe.

Source: Trend News Agency

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Investment from the UK for Modernization of its Railway Sector

On November 18, during the meeting held between Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament, Ulan Primov, and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kyrgyzstan, Nicholas Bowler, Primov said that Kyrgyzstan is inviting British investors to pay closer attention to the modernization of the country’s railway sector. “We invite British investors to focus on the road sector and the modernization of rail transport, which are crucial to strengthening economic integration in Central Asia,” he stressed. Primov further added that Kyrgyzstan is also ready to create favorable conditions for attracting investment in hydropower and renewable energy projects as part of its green economy initiatives.

Source: Trend News Agency

Tajik Airline Adds Doha Flight

Starting November 28, Tajikistan’s Somon Air will begin regular weekly flights from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to Doha, Qatar. It is the third Middle Eastern location, after Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to which travelers will be able to access direct flights from Tajikistan. 

Source: Daryo

Armenia and EU Sign €236 Million Road Construction Loan

On November 15, Armenia and the European Investment Bank’s global division signed an agreement for a €236 million loan to co-finance the construction of a road linking the towns of Sisian and Kanjara. The road will improve north-south transport within Armenia, as well as potentially connecting Iran with Europe, and Russia. Officials have stated the goal of the project is to boost regional trade and connectivity within Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. 

Source: European Investment Bank

Politics and Security

 

Protests in Abkhazia Seek to Unseat “Government”

In Georgia’s Russian-occupied separatist-governed region of Abkhazia, large crowds of protesters stormed central government buildings on November 15, including the de facto parliament. Despite a preliminary report that suggested that the so-called President of Abkhazia, Aslam Bzhania, had resigned, he later delivered a statement repudiating the claim. The protests were coordinated by opposition groups in reaction to a controversial plan to allow Russian citizens and investors to buy property within the region. Bzhania has since fled to his private home outside of Abkhazia’s de facto capital and pledged to remain in office.

Source: OC Media

Officials: Final Agreement Between Armenia and Azerbaijan “Very Close”

Speaking to Armenia’s parliament on November 13, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan described a final-status agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia as “very close.” He added, “There are still one or two bits of wording, articles, on which work continues more intensively than in the previous period.” An Azerbaijani official that same day reportedly stated to the Russian news service, TASS, that a final document agreement would likely be drafted in early December. 

Source: OC-Media

In Letter to EU Foreign Policy Chief, Georgian Opposition Lays out Position

Georgia’s four opposition blocks have released a joint letter addressed to European Union foreign policy head, Josep Borrell. The letter calls on the EU not to recognize the results of the October 26 elections. Furthermore, the letter asks that Brussels pressure Georgian officials to investigate election fraud, not to convene parliament until the investigation is completed, to announce a suspension of Georgia’s EU accession, to cease all communication with Georgian authorities, and to suspend funding for Georgia’s public sector. The central demand is that new elections be held in 2025, following an improvement of the electoral environment. In the aftermath of the May passage of the foreign agents law, the EU suspended most of its financial aid to the Georgian government. The EU’s ambassador to Georgia has already stated that the country’s accession is on hold. 

Source: JAM News

Six Armenian Cabinet Members Resign

Six major cabinet ministers in Armenia have resigned following Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s public comments on systemic governing failures. The ministers include Judicial Council President Karen Andreasyan, Anti-Corruption Committee President Sasun Khachatryan, Minister of Internal Affairs Vahe Ghazaryan, the chairman of the Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan, and the chairman of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan. 

Source: OC Media

Chinese National in Tajikistan Killed in a Cross-Border Attack Originating in Afghanistan

A Chinese national was killed and five others were injured, including four more Chinese nationals, in a cross-border attack in Tajikistan originating from Afghanistan on November 18. The attack occurred in Tajikistan’s Zarbuzi Gorge and marks the first incident of its kind resulting in the death of a Chinese national in the region. It remains unclear whether the attackers were drug traffickers, who frequently operate in the area, or members of a militant group. 

Source: RFE/RL