(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Sabina Mammadli
Central Asia Weekly Review: 27 Jun-4 Jul
22
Azernews has launched a new project designed to cover
weekly major developments in the Central Asian nations
HIGHLIGHTS
Uzbekistan imposes state of emergency in protest-hit
Karakalpakstan
Ashgabat hosts the VI Summit of the leaders of the Caspian
littoral states
Bishkek presents the preliminary route of the
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway
Tajikistan adopts a law against all forms of
discrimination
Kazakhstan to create CA water-energy consortium
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan imposes state of emergency in protest-hit
Karakalpakstan
Uzbekistan has announced a month-long state of emergency in an
autonomous republic Karakalpakstan, which is facing unrest.
President Mirziyoyev's press secretary Sherzod Asadov wrote on
Telegram on Saturday that the state of emergency in the Republic of
Karakalpakstan would run from just after midnight on Sunday to
August 2.
The measure was taken to“ensure the safety of citizens, protect
their rights and freedoms (and) restore law and order” in the
territory, the statement reads.
A rally was called on July 1 to protest constitutional reform
plans that would have changed the status of Karakalpakstan, an
autonomous republic that is home to the Karakalpak people – an
ethnic minority group with its own language.
Police dispersed the protesters after some tried to storm local
government buildings in the region's capital, Nukus, following a
march and a rally at the city's central market, local and
government officials said.
Under the current Uzbek constitution, Karakalpakstan is
described as a sovereign republic within Uzbekistan and has the
right to secede by holding a referendum.
The new version of the constitution – on which Uzbekistan plans
to hold a public vote in the coming months – would no longer
mention Karakalpakstan's sovereignty or right for secession.
However, in response to the protests, during Mirziyoyev's visit
to Karakalpakstan, he said that the changes regarding its status
must be dropped from the proposed reform.
Uzbekistan to pay $840 to ex-prisoners to launch
businesses
Former Uzbek inmates will be able to receive one-time financial
assistance in the amount of 9.2 million soums ($840) to start their
own businesses.
The decision to provide a package of primary social and material
assistance for the adaptation of former inmates was approved on
June 29 by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
It was noted that the authorities will allocate money only for
the implementation of projects in the areas of entrepreneurship,
architecture, and handicrafts. To receive assistance, it will be
necessary to write an application to the Ministry of Justice and
attach a project plan within three months after the release.
TURKMENISTAN
Ashgabat hosts 6th Summit of Caspian littoral states'
leaders
The VI Caspian Summit of the heads of states of Turkmenistan,
Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Russia was held in the capital of
Turkmenistan on June 29.
As a result, the leaders of the Caspian littoral states adopted
a communique of the sixth summit.
Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Ilham Aliyev, Ebrahim Raisi,
Tokayev, and Vladimir Putin discussed important issues of
cooperation pertaining to the Caspian Sea in various spheres in a
narrow format and in an extended delegation composition and
exchanged opinions on acute issues of international and regional
agenda, standing for mutual interest.
Moreover, the heads of the Caspian Sea littoral states conducted
a range of two-sided talks on the sidelines of the VI Caspian
Summit.
It was marked that the VII Caspian Summit will take place in the
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Turkmenistan, Türkiye ink new bilateral
accords
Turkmen and Turkish officials signed a final protocol of the
result of the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Turkish
Commission on Economic Cooperation held in Ashgabat on July 1.
Heads of leading ministries and departments of Turkmenistan and
a Turkish delegation headed by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay
participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the fruitful nature and growing dynamics of
bilateral relations in the trade and economic field, and the
important role of the joint Intergovernmental Commission in the
development of effective interaction between the two countries was
emphasized.
The sides exchanged views on the industry of construction and
the building materials, energy, transport, food industry, and
agriculture.
On this day, the Turkmen-Turkish business forum was also held,
the main topic of which was the intensification of bilateral
partnership in the context of long-term plans for the future.
KYRGYZSTAN
Bishkek presents preliminary route of the
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway
The preliminary route of the new China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan
railway was presented at a meeting of the Kyrgyz government.
Minister of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan Erkinbek
Osoev spoke about the construction of the railway. He outlined a
preliminary route for the construction of a road that could run
through three key points: Torugart - Makmal - Jalal-Abad. The
development of an appropriate feasibility study for the project
will be completed in December this year.
'The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project is
a unique one, to the implementation of which we attach special
priority. The relevant state bodies need to carry out the necessary
preparatory work in due time,' said Akylbek Zhaparov, head of the
Cabinet of Ministers.
A new railway line is under construction to connect the railways
of the three countries further to the Persian Gulf countries,
Turkey with connection to the European railway network.
Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan to expand cooperation in the energy
sector
Pakistan is interested in expanding cooperation with the
Republic of Kyrgyzstan in the field of energy and import-export of
mineral resources.
Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan Ulanbek Totuyaev and
Pakistani Minister of Finance Miftah Ismail discussed the prospects
for trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. The
parties agreed on further work in the development of economic ties
between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan in agriculture, food industry,
energy, textile, and pharmaceutical industries.
Ulanbek Totuyaev suggested that Pakistan consider the
possibility of creating the Kyrgyz-Pakistani Investment Fund, which
will expand bilateral cooperation through more efficient financing
of various projects and initiatives.
In turn, Miftah Ismail announced his readiness to consider
Kyrgyzstan's proposal. He also added that Pakistan was interested
in the expansion of cooperation in the field of energy and
import-export of mineral resources.
TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan adopts a law against all forms of
discrimination
Deputies of the lower house of the Parliament of Tajikistan
adopted the Law on Equality and Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination.
Minister of Justice of Tajikistan Muzaffar Ashuriyon noted that
under the new law, any person or group of persons subjected to
discrimination has the right to apply to the judiciary and other
state authorities for the protection of their rights, as well as
for appropriate, fair or satisfactory compensation for any harm
caused as a result of discrimination.
For the first time, the bill introduces new concepts such as
discrimination (Article 1), direct and indirect discrimination
(Article 5), sexual harassment (Article 6), segregation (forced
separation of people into racial, ethnic, or other groups in
everyday life - Article 8), protection from victimization (a social
process in which a person becomes a victim of a crime - Article 10)
and others.
He stressed that the state guarantees protection against
infringement of rights and implements programs to eliminate all
forms of discrimination.
Tajikistan, WFP presented program to develop school
meals
The government of Tajikistan and the UN World Food Program (WFP)
presented a state program for the development of school meals in
the country for the period of 2022-2027 on June 30.
The presentation of the program in Dushanbe was attended by
representatives of the government, UN agencies, and the Russian
embassy.
“With government support and continued funding from Russia,
school feeding has become WFP's flagship program in Tajikistan,
contributing to the well-being of hundreds of schoolchildren across
the country,” said Adham Musallam, WFP Country Director and
Representative in Tajikistan.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan to create CA water-energy
consortium
Kazakhstan plans to develop a water management balance for the
transboundary Syrdarya River and automate interstate hydraulic
structures, Minister of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of
the Republic of Kazakhstan Serikkkali Brekeshev said.
“The ministry systematically carries out work on cross-border
cooperation. Thus, in the Aral-Syrdarya basin, work is underway to
create a water-energy consortium of Central Asia, which would allow
maintaining a balance of interests of all countries, including
energy, irrigation water, and environmental needs of the Aral Sea,”
Brekeshev said.
In order to ensure a fair water allocation, it is planned to
develop the water management balance of the Syrdarya and automate
interstate hydraulic structures.
“According to the Zhaiyk-Caspian basin, it is planned to
synchronize the operating modes of hydraulic structures on the
territory of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan in order to
ensure the maximum possible releases, especially in dry years,”
Brekeshev added.
The issues of water distribution and water use in the countries
of the region are currently dealt with by the Interstate
Coordinating Water Commission.
The commission, in particular, annually determines and sets the
limit on water withdrawal from the transboundary rivers of the
Syrdarya and Amudarya for each country in the region during the
growing season (April-September) and the non-growing season
(October-March).
Kazakhstan may reintroduce mask mandate
In the event of an increase in the number of patients with
coronavirus in Kazakhstan, the mask regime could return, Kazakh
Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzhanov said.
According to him, the Ministry of Health has been given specific
instructions to strengthen vaccination.
“Vaccination is the main issue as long as there is no critical
situation. But the mask-wearing can be re-introduced if growth in
the number of patients is registered. Now the growth totals 100
people per day, so there are questions. We are submitting issues
pertaining to the strengthening of the quarantine measures to the
meeting of the Interregional Commission. Not only in terms of
masks, in general, but in terms of measures,” Tugzhanov said.
--
Sabina Mammadli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @SabinaMmdl
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
- Tags:
- Kazakhstan
- Turkmenistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uzbekistan
- Central Asia
- Tajikistan
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