Ankara took a slap to the chops as Turkic Central Asian states inked an investment-linked deal on relations with Brussels that pointedly included no recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Wider region increasingly seen as arena in which major powers’ interests, such as in sourcing critical minerals, collide and converge.
Personnel moves seen as part of effort to ensure dynastic transfer of power.
Historically, it is the ultimate crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia – and the central component for most of the Silk Road. Now the Central Asian countries find themselves caught between the Big Four.
Court decision likely years in making.
World Bank’s financing role facing scrutiny.
Uzbekistan reportedly considering purchase of Chinese fighters.
Little near-term pain, but lots of uncertainty about future.
Kazakhstan boasts 19 out of 34 types of critical raw materials seen as essential to EU economy, while the five 'stans' have 40% of the world’s reserves of manganese.
In aspiring for a strategic partnership with the region, Brussels has one eye firmly fixed on deposits of critical minerals.
Ambition to interconnect Central Asian and South Asian power grids held up by incomplete work in Afghanistan.
Caution evident in build-up to gathering.
Aral Sea inflow falls short.
Citizenship wielded as instrument of coercion.
Proponents of democracy won’t like the answer.
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.
Central Asia one of globe’s most air-polluted regions.
Report also underlines value of remittances said to contribute 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP, 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s and 14% of Uzbekistan’s.
Call on international financial institutions to reevaluate projects.
Soviet-era demarcation of frontier has plagued relations during three decades of two republics' independence.