Eurasia News Digest (16-29 February 2024)

Russia& Central Asia

Wabtec Acquires Full Ownership of Locomotive Assembly Plant in Kazakhstan

The American company Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec) has acquired full ownership of the locomotive assembly plant in Kazakhstan, the Railway Supply reported on Feb. 18. From October to December last year, Wabtec acquired another 50% stake in the locomotive assembly plant for $81 million. Previously, the company held a 50% stake in partnership with Transmashholding, the Russian engineering and train manufacturer. Click here to read… [2]

Oil Flow from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan via Azerbaijan Rises

The flow of oil from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to European markets through Azerbaijan’s territory has seen an uptick, accounting for 17.3 percent of the total volume of oil transportation in January via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. According to data released by the State Statistical Committee, the BTC pipeline transported over 430,000 tonnes of oil originating from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan combined during January. The BTC pipeline transported more than 2.4 million tons of crude in January, making up 76 percent of the total volume of oil transportation. Azerbaijani oil accounted for 82.7 percent or 2,055.3 thousand tonnes of the total volume shipped through the BTC pipeline during this period. Click here to read… [3]

Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan install water monitoring stations on the border

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have inaugurated a pair of upgraded flow-monitoring stations on transboundary canals in a measure designed to lay the ground for improved collective water resource management in the region. Tajikistan’s Energy and Water Resources Ministry said in a statement on February 23 that the monitoring posts will provide automated and real-time digital data on the volumes of water passing through them. The project to build the facilities was completed with funding from the Swiss Cooperation Office. Click here to read… [4]

Kazakhstan Ready to Dispatch Peacekeeping Forces to Golan Heights in First Independent Mission

In a landmark move, Kazakhstan is preparing to deploy its first independent peacekeeping contingent to the Golan Heights under the United Nations (UN). The departure of the contingent will take place in three stages, with the final slated for March 14, said Colonel Bauyrzhan Nigmetullin, the head of Kazakhstan Peace Operations Center (KAZCENT) of the Kazakh Ministry of Defense, in an interview with The Astana Times. On Feb. 22, the first group of the contingent will be leaving for the Golan Heights through Damascus. Click here to read… [5]

Kazakhstan’s Trade Policy Makes It a Nexus of Eurasian Supply Chains

Kazakhstan’s foreign-trade priorities have markedly evolved in response to global market demands and geopolitical shifts. Historically, the country has relied on its neighbors, particularly Russia, for trade and economic security. However, in recent years, it has been strategically diversifying its trade partners to leverage its geographical position and resource wealth more effectively in the global market. This wealth includes significant reserves of oil, natural gas and minerals. In 2023, Kazakhstan’s trade turnover broke a historical record and reached $139.8 billion. Top exports include crude petroleum, gold, refined copper, ferro-alloys, and copper ore. Click here to read… [6]

Afghan Canal Will Divert Water from Uzbekistan

Afghanistan has begun construction of the second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal, which will divert water from the Amu Darya River and may have an adverse effect on agriculture in downstream Uzbekistan. The Taliban announced that construction work on the second phase, which stretches from Dawlat Abad District of Balkh Province to Andkhoi District of Faryab Province, began on February 20th, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported, adding that the 198-km first phase of the canal is now complete and construction of the 177-km second phase will take 12 months. Click here to read… [7]

Update: Russian Defence Minister Speaks about Threats to Central Asia

Speaking at a Defence Ministry meeting on February 27th, the Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu spoke of threats coming from Afghanistan extremists and Western NGO’s. The Russian minister prioritized “ensuring military security in the Central Asian strategic area,” and warned that the situation in the region remains complex, with the greatest threat coming from the territory of Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, Shoigu claimed that over the past year alone, the number of ISIS militants in Afghanistan had increased by 15%. He explained that their key objectives were to spread radical ideology and to conduct subversive activities on the southern borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO); the Russian-led security alliance which includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Click here to read… [8]

Iran and the South Caucasus

Ilham Aliyev held meetings with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz in Munich at the initiative of the latter. During the meeting, they exchanged views on bilateral relations. The German side expressed readiness to support the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan and organize relevant meetings in Germany in this regard on a goodwill basis. Olaf Scholz noted that the compromises reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding COP29, and the conduct of COP29 in Azerbaijan, create favorable opportunities and conditions for advancing the peace agenda. Click here to read… [9]

Baku's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity is unwavering: Aliyev at meeting with Zelensky

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. According to an Ukrinform correspondent, the two leaders spoke in English. At the beginning of the meeting, President Zelensky wished peace to the people of Azerbaijan and emphasized the good ties between the countries. Ilham Aliyev noted that his team is in constant contact with the Ukrainian side to discuss bilateral relations, and Azerbaijan values its partnership with Ukraine. Azerbaijan supports the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and understands the situation due to its own experience with occupation and violation of territorial integrity. The President of Azerbaijan wished peace to the people of Ukraine. According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, energy, humanitarian and other areas. Click here to read… [10]

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan gear up to sign agreement on military intelligence

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are getting ready to sign an agreement on military intelligence, APA reports. The draft agreement has been published on Kazakhstan's government portal of draft normative legal acts. According to the draft, the two countries are getting ready to sign draft agreement on cooperation in the field of military intelligence in the defense sector. Click here to read… [11]

Armenia is not on Russia's side regarding the Ukraine issue – Armenian PM

The prime minister noted that the Alma-Ata Declaration serves as a basis for recognising the independence and territorial integrity of the republics that gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He noted that Armenia adheres to the Alma-Ata Declaration, which Russia and Ukraine, among others, have adopted. Pashinyan added that the Belovezha Accords, signed by Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, officially disestablished the Soviet Union and proclaimed the independence of all three nations, who would recognise each other's borders. Click here to read… [12]

A longtime Russia ally suspended participation in Putin's NATO rival after calling it ineffective

Armenia, formally a key ally of Russia, has suspended its participation in a Russia-led international alliance, according to its prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan. The Collective Security Treaty Organization is considered Russia's equivalent to NATO, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped it could rival the Western military alliance. But splinters have emerged in the group since Russia invaded Ukraine, and Armenia has repeatedly challenged its usefulness. Click here to read… [13]

Georgian Defence Minister, US European Command General discuss cooperation

The defence cooperation between Georgia and the United States was discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani and Daniel Lasika, the Director of Planning, Policy, Strategy and Capabilities of the US European Command. Chikovani extended his gratitude to the US for its “political and practical support” for Georgia, the Ministry said. The officials stressed the importance of conducting multinational defence exercises in Georgia. Click here to read… [14]