Energy and Economy

 

Chevron to Assist Kazakhstan to Grow Natural Gas Production

A subsidiary of Chevron, Chevron Munaygaz, agreed to assist the Kazakh state-owned gas pipeline operator and producer, Qazaqgaz, in the interpretation of old seismic data for the Zhalibek gas block. This gas block lies next to a key oil field operated by a subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Corporation. Chevron Munaygaz is already amongst the largest players in the Kazakhstan oil sector and has stated it hopes this deal will pave the road for “broader cooperation” between Qazaqgaz and Chevron Munaygaz on natural gas. 

Source: upstream

Russia-Iran Trade Turnover Grows by 48% in First Quarter of 2024

Russian state press service TASS has reported that Russia-Iran trade grew by 48% percent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. TASS also claimed that Russian exports to Iran grew by 77%, while imports from Iran grew by 13%. Recently, Russia and Iran have sought to foster economic and political ties, with President Vladimir Putin approving on June 12 a free trade agreement between Iran and the Russian backed Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). On June 16, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran announced the creation of a working group on North-South Caspian Sea trade. 

Source: TASS, Eurasianet

First Uzbek-Produced BYD Cars Roll Off Assembly Line

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and BYD president Wang Chuanfu emphasized their shared interest in expanding Uzbekistan’s advanced EV manufacturing capabilities. During their ceremonial inspection of the first BYD cars produced at the Uzbek factory, President Mirziyoyev announced further investment from BYD into Uzbekistan’s growing green transportation sector. The investments will include plans for a joint innovative research center, increased battery production, and production capabilities for BYD electric buses.

Source: Gazeta

Security and Politics

 

Assistant Secretary O’Brien Visits Azerbaijan

On June 27-28, U.S. Assistant U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan. O’Brien held meetings with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov “to highlight progress in the U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relationship and U.S. support toward the conclusion of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” The sides discussed bilateral cooperation in various areas, namely in the development of the Middle Corridor, and energy security within the framework of the upcoming COP29 summit that Baku will host.

Source: U.S. Department of State, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan Among Countries Invited to NATO Summit

Officials of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan have been invited to the NATO Summit to be held in Washington, DC, July 9-11. On June 28, Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a delegation led by Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili would participate in the Summit. Similarly, the Armenian Foreign Ministry also confirmed the country’s participation in the summit. Azerbaijan has yet to confirm whether it will participate.

Source: Caucasus Watch, TASS, Azertag

SCO Summit and Other High-Level Visits to Kazakstan This Week

Astana will once again host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on July 3-4. This year’s summit is expected to see Belarus elected as a full-fledged member, as well as increased cooperation in technological innovation and security. This same week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Almaty and Astana and deliver remarks at the SCO Summit on July 4. This comes on the heels of the Secretary’s latest visit to Uzbekistan, where he met on July 1 with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to reaffirm Uzbekistan’s increased participation with the UN. Chinese President Xi Jinping will also extend his SCO Summit appearance to state visits in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan July 2-6. He is expected to affirm China’s support for Middle Corridor development, as well as attend the official opening of the new Tajikistan Parliament and Government buildings in Dushanbe.

Source: Astana Times, RFE/RL

European Council: Georgia’s EU Accession on de facto Halt 

On June 27, the European Council (EC) released a document relaying conclusions on various issues, including the status of aspiring European Union members. About Georgia, the EC expressed serious concern about Tbilisi’s recently passed bill on supposed foreign agents, a bill critics have argue imperils Georgia’s civil society. The EC called on Georgia to “clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of action which jeopardizes Georgia’s EU path, de facto leading to a halt of the accession process.” The statement went on to call on “Georgian authorities to ensure that the parliamentary elections this autumn are free and fair and encourages substantial long-term and short-term election observation by partners.”

Source: European Council 

Putin Calls to Resume Production of Intermediate Range Missiles

Speaking on June 28 to Russia’s national security council, President Vladimir Putin called for the resumption of intermediate range missile production. Intermediate range missiles were banned under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, from which the United States withdrew in 2019 as U.S.-Russia relations deteriorated. The United States has long claimed that Russian 9M729 cruise missiles, also known as SSC-8 missiles, violate the treaty as well. 

Source: Associated Press, Caspian News

Azerbaijan Receives Shipments of Italian Tactical Transport Aircraft 

Azerbaijan and Italy have broken new ground in their defense cooperation this month. Italian aerospace contractor Leonardo delivered its first C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces this week. The arrival of the C-27J aircraft comes after a bilateral deal signed in 2023 for an undisclosed number of Spartan transport aircraft. According to the ministry, the plane “is capable of performing both defense and civil defense missions in complex geographical terrain and operational conditions.”

Source: The Defense Post

Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Suggests Referendum on EU Ties

Alen Simonyan, speaker of Armenia’s parliament, has stated Armenia will likely hold a referendum on EU membership in the near future, adding that members of parliament are already discussing the possibility.  Armenia, a country that has spent much of 2024 attempting to pivot from Moscow’s sphere of influence toward Europe, remains a member of the Russian-backed Eurasian Economic Union, something incompatible with any long-term EU ambitions.

Source: OC Media

Sources: Astana Times, AP, Caspian News, The Defense Post, EurasiaNet, OC Media, RFE/RFL, TASS, Upstream