Energy and Economy

 

Kazakhstan Deputy PM: Kazakhstan to Reconsider Enforcing Russia Sanctions in Certain Cases

In an August 16 interview with Bloomberg, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin stated that Kazakhstan considers not adhering to Western sanctions on Russia, if they affect domestic Kazakh companies that are the leading employers in their respective areas. Kazakhstan is now reportedly re-assessing its policy on sanctions compliance, with Zhumangarin relaying that Kazakhstan will not “blindly follow the sanction” and “will not allow [Kazakh] producers to be banned from trade.” In September 2023, Kazakh Prime Minister Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated during a visit to Germany that his country would comply with sanctions against Russia.

Source: Bloomberg, RFE/RL

Kyrgyzstan to Publish Daily Som-Yuan Exchange Rate

Beginning on September 1, the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan will start including the Chinese yuan in its daily exchange rate publications. The yuan will join the dollar, euro, and ruble, whose exchange rates were previously published daily while yuan rates were published weekly. The change is meant to facilitate stronger economic ties between Kyrgyzstan and China.

Source: Daryo

Kazakhstan Halts Wheat Exports to China over Tariff Dispute

Kazakhstan suspended wheat exports to China for an undetermined period following unilateral tariff changes by Beijing. The tariff change in question occurred on August 2 and involved a ban on the export of wheat to Chinese factories in a Xinjiang special economic zone that had previously been used by Kazakhstan to avoid the 65 percent duty on wheat imposed in other regions. This comes amidst a projected overabundance in 2024’s harvest, pushing down prices in Kazakhstan and leaving farmers with a surplus.

Source: EurasiaNet

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Sign $2.5 Billion Trade and Investment Deal 

On August 17, Uzbekistan finalized a trade and investment deal with the Taliban Government in Afghanistan worth $2.5 billion. The deal was signed during an historic visit by Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to Afghanistan. This visit made Aripov the highest-level foreign official to visit Kabul since the Taliban regained control of the country in 2021. 

Source: Voice of America, RFL/RE

Politics and Security

 

Kazakhstan and Türkiye Working on Military Transit Agreement

On August 13, Kazakhstan’s Tengri News reported that Kazakhstan and Türkiye are working towards an agreement “on the transit of military equipment and staff through the two countries” and their airspace. A draft of the agreement is now ready and will be signed in the near future. The move comes as Kazakhstan and Türkiye have increased military ties in recent years. Astana purchases drones from Türkiye, and the two countries agreed to share military intelligence in 2022. Kazakhstan has also focused on enhancing military ties with members of the Organization of Turkic States, of which Türkiye is a member. 

Source: Caspian News

Meta Takes Down Russian Information Operation in South Caucasus 

Meta has identified and taken down a Russian network on social media that was conducting an information campaign in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The network consisted of 76 Facebook accounts, 30 Pages, and 11 Instagram accounts. Reportedly, the Georgian pages were supportive of the governing Georgian Dream party, while the Armenian pages opposed the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The Azerbaijani pages reportedly pushed anti-Western messaging and was attuned to local issues.

Source: Meta, Georgia Today

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Conduct Joint Military Exercises

According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, the Altyn Kyran – 2024 (Golden Eagle) joint tactical-special exercises are taking place at the Koktal training ground in Zharkent, Kazakhstan, between the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The military exercises are expected to end on August 24.

Source: Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan

Bulgaria Seizes Large Heroin Shipment, Says it Originated in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan

Bulgarian police have seized 436 kilograms of heroin, worth an estimated $38 million, at the Black Sea port of Burgas. Bulgarian authorities claim that the narcotics originated in Kyrgyzstan and crossed the Black Sea via Georgia’s Batumi port. Kyrgyz officials have denied that the heroin originated within their country.

Source: RFE/RL

Vladimir Putin Conducts an Official Visit to Azerbaijan

On August 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Azerbaijan for a two-day state visit to discuss “further development of the strategic partnership and allied relations” between the two countries. During the visit, Putin discussed current international and regional issues with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev. The two sides signed six documents in the fields of export and import promotion, climate change and low carbon development, labor inspection, food safety, quarantine and plant protection, as well as healthcare and medical education.

Source: President of Russia, Trend News Agency

 

Azerbaijan Accuses Armenia of Shelling Positions

Azerbaijani authorities accused Armenian forces of shelling Azerbaijani positions within Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan  exclave on two separate occasions on August 15 and August 16. Armenia has denied the allegations, accusing Baku of using escalatory rhetoric, and re-iterated its request to form a joint monitoring mechanism force to assess claims of cease-fire violations. 

Source: OC-Media