Eurasia / News
S&P hands Kyrgyzstan ‘B+/B’ sovereign rating as country prepares for debut eurobond
Economy boosted by rerouting of supply corridors to Russia. Balance of payments position remains vulnerable.
Demolition scandal in Baku as construction firm flattens home with residents still inside
Eyewitnesses allege that heavy machinery struck a residential building despite an active court order prohibiting such action near the property.
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Trump cut strips US funding from Uzbekistan’s battle against forced cotton labour
Such backing for overseas labour and environmental programmes puts “America last”, says secretary of labour.
US Senate committee passes MEGOBARI Act to sanction Georgian government officials
The bill reaffirms support for pro-EU protesters in Georgia and mandates sanctions on members of the governing Georgian Dream party.
Kyrgyzstan: Seeking Elon Musk-like figures to lead the government
Parliament ready to lower qualifications for top government posts.
Israeli academic calls on government to back Azeri independence from Iran
An influential lecturer in Israel is stirring the pot between Tehran and Baku in his latest editorial in Israeli media.
Armenian parliament passes bill on launching EU accession process
Bill adopted despite Russian criticism formally declares the start of Armenia’s EU accession process, but officials stress it does not constitute a formal membership application.
Rights watchdog documents forced mobilisation of Central Asian labour migrants in Russian military
Citizenship wielded as instrument of coercion.
Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it
Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.
Georgian authorities freeze funds of NGOs supporting pro-EU protesters
Ruling Georgian Dream party has introduced increasingly repressive legislation in recent months in an attempt to intimidate protesters and crush the resistance.
Iran, EEU free trade deal to take effect in mid-May
A comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union will come into force on May 15, paving the way for stronger economic ties and potentially doubling trade volumes.
Tensions rise over peace treaty talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Reports of ceasefire violations along the border have intensified, further complicating the fragile peace process.
Former Georgian president Saakashvili gets a further 4.5 years in prison for illegal border crossing
Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia from 2004-13, has been found guilty of illegally crossing the Georgian border in September 2021 and sentenced to four years and six months in jail by the Tbilisi City Court.
Azerbaijan expands crackdown on government critics at home and abroad
The Azerbaijani authorities have targeted political dissidents both inside the country and abroad, initiating criminal proceedings and issuing official summons for several prominent government critics.
Turn 'brain drain' into 'brain gain' by attracting home skilled migrants, World Bank urges Central Asia
Report also underlines value of remittances said to contribute 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP, 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s and 14% of Uzbekistan’s.