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.
Billion-dollar surge recorded. Shipments of precious metal account for 44% of country's overall export volume.
Just a decade ago, the idea of building a modern ski resort in Uzbekistan felt like wishful thinking. Its snow-capped mountains were admired for their beauty, but few imagined they could attract international tourists, athletes or investors.
Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov has won another legal victory in his campaign to clear his name after German newspaper Münchner Merkur was ordered to retract a series of articles that formed the basis for investigations and sanctions.
Russian gas dependency poses significant obstacle.
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.
Pursuing "launchpad" relations with local investors, accelerators and entrepreneurs.
Russian energy company keeps gushing red ink.
“Students are not picking universities. They just want to leave and study abroad. We make that happen,” says the CEO and founder of Borderless, an online application that helps students from emerging markets find a university place.
Nuclear energy cooperation also in play.
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.
Caution evident in build-up to gathering.
Such backing for overseas labour and environmental programmes puts “America last”, says secretary of labour.
Aral Sea inflow falls short.
Citizenship wielded as instrument of coercion.