Energy and Economy

 

Kazakhstan Set to Join TAPI Pipeline Project

Kazakhstan is preparing to formally join the Turkmenistan-Pakistan-Afghanistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, marking an expansion of regional energy cooperation. The announcement came during a meeting in Islamabad between the Ambassador of Kazakhstan and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi. The talks also emphasized strengthening bilateral cooperation in education, research, and technology. Magsi stated that multiple Memorandums of Understanding are being finalized, including a proposal to establish a joint research center at Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology.

Source: The Express Tribune

U.S. and Uzbekistan Strengthen Mineral Ties

The United States and Uzbekistan signed multiple agreements covering mineral exploration, extraction, and processing, alongside plans to transfer U.S. technology and train Uzbek specialists, according to an April 9 statement from Uzbekistan’s Investment Ministry. The United States also signaled interest in cooperating on safe nuclear energy technologies. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Uzbekistan National Security Council Deputy Chair Abdulaziz Kamilov to further discuss mining, nuclear power, counterterrorism, and illegal migration.

Source: Eurasianet

Uzbekistan and Vietnam Sign Agreements

On April 9, Uzbekistan hosted a delegation led by Tran Thanh Manh, the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The meeting concluded with the signing of several Uzbekistan-Vietnam agreements, including issues such as establishing regular business forums, enhancing direct flight options, and launching trade houses in each country. Additionally, the health ministries of Uzbekistan and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting health care cooperation. 

Source: Daryo

Trump Raises China Tariffs to 125%, Announces 90-Day Pause in Tariff Plan

On April 9, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an immediate increase in tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. Alongside the tariff hike, Trump also authorized a 90-day pause as part of his tariff plan for countries planning to negotiate the tariffs, although no additional details were provided about the scope or sectors affected. 

Source: Reuters

Politics and Security

 

Azerbaijan Hosts Israel-Türkiye Talks

On April 10, the office of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that on April 9 an Israel delegation had met with Turkish officials in Azerbaijan. As reported by Izrael’s The Times of Israel, the talks focused on de-conflicting Israeli and Turkish positions in Syria. Since the October 7 attack on Israel in 2023 and the ensuing war in Gaza, Turkish-Israeli relations have deteriorated sharply with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking in support of Hamas and decrying Israel’s military assault on Gaza as a genocide. Azerbaijan. However. maintains positive working relations with Israel, despite a strong long-running alliance with Ankara. 

Source: The Times of Israel

Armenia-Iran Joint Military Drills Held

On April 10 and 11, Armenia and Iran held joint military exercises along their shared border, the first joint training exercises between the two countries’ militaries. According to a statement released by the Armenian Ministry of Defense, the “exercise involves operations to neutralize attacks by simulated terrorist groups on border checkpoints located along the Armenia–Iran state border.” The drills involved special operations units from each military with the forces of each country remaining on their own respective territories.

Source: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia

Azerbaijan Offers Support for Syria’s Reconstruction as Embassy Reopens

On April 11, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev announced is country’s readiness to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction during a meeting with Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Antalya. Aliyev expressed satisfaction with recent political changes in Syria and congratulated al-Sharaa on the developments. Azerbaijan has already dispatched a delegation to Syria, and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Damascus, previously closed under the Assad regime, has resumed operations. Azerbaijan’s leader emphasized a commitment to supporting Syria’s recovery to help consolidate national stability.

Source: Trend News Agency

OTS Health Ministers Sign Declaration on Regional Healthcare Cooperation

On April 10, Uzbekistan and other Organization of Turkic States (OTS) members signed a Joint Declaration on health cooperation at the fifth OTS Health Ministers meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. The declaration focused on enhancing healthcare systems, promoting digital health technologies, and strengthening medical education. It also included measures for cross-border patient exchange and the creation of a unified medical scientific space for joint research. The health ministers approved the 2025-2026 Action Plan, covering emergency medical services, medical tourism, and pharmaceutical cooperation.

Source: Daryo

United Kingdom Sanctions Georgian Dream Officials 

The United Kingdom has announced a new slate of sanctions targeted at Georgian elites London,  noting “their role in allowing serious human rights violations in response to legitimate protests in Georgia since 2024.” The new list of sanctions targets four individuals, including Georgia’s general prosecutor and the head of Georgia’s Special Investigatory Service, with visa bans and asset seizures. The UK, among other Western nations, has sanctioned Georgian Dream elites in the past year, citing democratic backsliding and the creation of a hostile environment for civil society in Georgia.

Source: United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office\

Antalya Forum Held with Caucasus Participation

 April 11-13, the Turkish city of Antalya hosted its annual Antalya Diplomacy Conference. This year featured prominent participation from the South Caucasus countries, with all three countries’ foreign ministers attending and speaking on a panel together. On the sidelines of the event, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met and held brief talks on the ongoing work to establish a final peace and normalization treaty between the two countries. Mirzoyan additionally met with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Source: OC Media