Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discuss bilateral trade and security; The United States has said that Turkmenistan must revise its energy laws to attract new investment; Turkey expresses an interest in energy cooperation with Tajikistan; Russia’s Foreign Minist
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    • DECEMBER 17-23

    According to reports, Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirzizayev in Tashkent to discuss trade and security related issues. While bilateral trade stood at US$ 1.9 billion 2011, it was agreed to provide fresh impetus to it buy creating a new business cooperation council. 1

    The United States has said that Turkmenistan must revise its energy laws to attract the foreign gas majors by giving the international oil companies some form of ownership of the reserves to justify their billions of dollars in investments. 2

    Turkish President Abdullah Gül has said that Turkey is interested in investing in Tajikistan’s hydropower sector. As part of the Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon’s official visit to Ankara, agreements totalling US$ 122 million were agreed between Turkish and Tajik businessmen. 3

    Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov has said that Uzbekistan remains Moscow’s ally despite it withdrawing from CSTO. Uzbekistan suspended its membership of the CSTO as part of Tashkent’s new foreign policy strategy of military independence. 4

    The governments of Iran and Turkmenistan have reached a new deal on the provision of gas which involves Iran providing technology for extraction and exploration of gas in Turkmenistan while Turkmenistan providing Iran with gas in lieu of Iranian technology. Turkmenistan is contracted to provide Iran with 45 million cubic meters per day to Iran. 5

    In other development, a study undertaken by the Kyrgyz economy ministry has found that the shadow economy accounts for 39 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). 6

    Uzbekistan has granted copper exploration license to Rio Tinto. 7

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