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Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - November 20, 2008

SRI — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:22:26 +0000

Caspian energy powers split at anti-Russian summit
(Reuters) - Caspian Sea energy nations showed this week they remain close to Moscow’s sphere of influence as some key producers declined to sign a declaration calling for a limit on Russian monopoly over export routes to the West.

Will Russian woes spread to Central Asia?
(TOL - BusinessWeek) - Ordinary Russians are feeling the sting of a slowing economy, and republics such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan may be next.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - November 14, 2008

SRI — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:40:25 +0000

Towards a water regime in the Syr Darya basin
(CACI Analyst) - In the coming years the countries of the Syr Darya basin (including upstream Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and downstream Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) face the task of finding a common water regime in order to tackle growing energy and water demands as well as avert future crises of poor inter-state coordination of water resources.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - November 13, 2008

SRI — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:15:49 +0000

Central Asia may be key to gas cost deal
(The Moscow Times) - With oil trading below $60 per barrel, eyes are turning to see what will happen to gas export prices as Gazprom begins the now-annual ritual of haggling with its customers to the West ahead of the winter heating season.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - November 12, 2008

SRI — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:05:57 +0000

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan confront a financial disaster
(EurasiaNet) - A financial catastrophe is looming for Central Asia’s poorest countries, as migrant workers in the once booming powerhouses of Russia and Kazakhstan are having increasing trouble finding work, and are thus unable to send cash back to loved ones in impoverished Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - November 10, 2008

SRI — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:33:26 +0000

EU fights for Nabucco’s future
(EurasiaNet) - The fate of the Nabucco pipeline project appears to be hanging by a thread. No EU official would publicly admit this, but the signs tell their own story.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - October 31, 2008

SRI — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:53:44 +0000

Central Asia: Oil-rich, remote and difficult
(Financial Times) - As rich countries poured billions of dollars into bank bailouts, China quietly announced plans last month to invest $100bn building roads and railways to open up remote central Asia to the rest of the world.

Central Asian oil & gas prospects: Energy suppliers of the future
(Financial Times) - After living in Russia’s shadow since the 19th century, the countries of central Asia have in the past decade been increasingly able to assert themselves in their own right, thanks to their energy resources.

Turkmenistan gas: A big surge in international interest (Financial Times)

Leadership in Central Asia: A deep reluctance to shake off old habits (Financial Times)

Central Asia: The view from Moscow: Banking on historical and cultural ties (Financial Times)

Central Asia: US and China have shared interests (Financial Times)

Central Asia: The importance of engagement with the neighbours (Financial Times)

Is Russia winning in Central Asia? (CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - October 28, 2008

SRI — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:26:46 +0000

Government ratifies Caspian pipeline accord
(RBC News) - The Russian government today ratified an intergovernmental agreement between Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan on cooperation in building the Pre-Caspian gas pipeline.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - October 23, 2008

SRI — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:33:29 +0000

Turkey courts Central Asia
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - In the aftermath of the Georgian-Russian confrontation, Ankara sees an opportunity to expand its trade relations with Central Asia, particularly the rising petro-states of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

Russia sees eastern pipeline as a “major victory”
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - The Kremlin has moved to expedite construction of the Eastern Siberia Pacific Oil Pipeline (ESPO), as a project considered of the utmost importance in terms of the domestic economy and foreign policy considerations.

Central Asians achieve breakthrough over precious resources
(RFE/RL) - The region’s five post-Soviet republics appear to have resolved, for this year at least, their major disagreements over the distribution of energy and water.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - October 22, 2008

SRI — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:21:38 +0000

China’s CNPC taps Uzbek field
(Oil and Gas Eurasia) - China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the country’s largest oil company, has signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s state oil company to jointly develop an oilfield in the central Asian country.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - October 20, 2008

SRI — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:18:18 +0000

Iran gains from Georgian confrontation
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - In the aftermath of the August Georgian-Russian confrontation, a new Caspian geopolitical reality is slowly emerging from the fog of war.