To Be or Not to Be...? Someone’s grief, and someone’s drinking party

Traditions of the Kyrgyz people were being formed with the help of economic, trade, domestic and other relations with kindred and other tribes that were closely related to the geography of their ha...

Iran of the 60s: unsuccessful attempt to reform

After the coup of 19 March 1953 in the socio-political history of Iran there were fundamental changes: the powers of parliament were limited and the absolute power of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was...

Topic: Regional rivalry in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two countries that claim to leadership in the region. With a powerful resources and political potential these countries are the...

Turkmenistan

Turkmen president: Work on Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway construction underway at high pace
16.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

At present, work on the construction of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway is underway at a high pace, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov said in his address to participants of International Conference "Prospects of development of transport and transit in Central Asian and Caspian region", which opened in Ashgabat on Wednesday.

Transport forum on Caspian and Central Asian regions opens in Ashgabat
16.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

An international conference on the prospects of development of transport and transit traffic in the region of Central Asia and the Caspian Sea was opened in Ashgabat on Wednesday.

The event is organized by the Turkmen government jointly with the International Road Transport Union, with the support of specialized institutions and agencies of the UN, OSCE and the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA) Intergovernmental Commission.

It is attended by representatives of 20 countries and 15 international organizations.

Ashgabat to host CIS summit in autumn
16.05.2012
Cental Asia|Public Policy & Politics|Turkmenistan

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the informal CIS summit in Moscow was invited to visit Ashgabat on November 2 this year to attend a meeting of the Council of the CIS Heads of State, local media reported on Wednesday. Berdimuhamedov is in Russia on a working visit (May 15-16).

'On this occasion, the Turkmen leader invited the presidents of the Commonwealth to visit Ashgabat on November 2 this year to attend a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State', a statement from the Turkmen government said.

Turkmen Central Election Commission prepares for local authority elections
16.05.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Ashgabat hosted a regular meeting of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Turkmenistan over preparations for the forthcoming elections of members of the Gengeshi (local authorities), the CEC reported.

Elections are scheduled for August 19. The agenda includes a number of issues: the creation of constituencies for the election of members of the Gengeshi in the territories of towns in the etraps (provinces), settlements, gengeshliks, as well as the formation of polling stations and district election commissions of cities in etraps, settlements and gengeshliks.

Turkish company intensifies cement plant construction in Turkmenistan
16.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

Turkish company Polimeks is building a cement plant in the Lebap region, Turkmenistan. It will produce 3000 tons of high quality Portland cement No 400, 500 per day, or about one million tons per year, the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan said today.

The plant will also produce backfill cement required for the oil and gas industry, and sulphate resistant cement used in hydraulic structures.

The main technological and additional equipment is being assembled on site and construction work on the social facilities has been completed.

Turkmen president to pay working visit to Moscow and Kazan
15.05.2012
Cental Asia|Public Policy & Politics|Turkmenistan

On Tuesday President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov starts his two-day working visit to the Russian Federation, where he will attend an informal meeting of the CIS Heads of States in Moscow, as well as will visit the Republic of Tatarstan, the Turkmen government said on Tuesday.

In 2012, Turkmenistan presides over the CIS.

"As an associate member of the CIS, which is primarily due to our country's permanent neutrality status, Turkmenistan, in fact, demonstrates its commitment to an active position towards partnership within the CIS," the report says.

Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan to create railway committee
15.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan have agreed to set up a tripartite railway committee, Kazakhstan Railways reported today.

The parties reached this agreement at the talks during the visit of the Kazakhstan Railways delegation to Iran and Turkmenistan.

"As a result of the working trip we decided to establish a tripartite committee, which will include representatives of the railway administrations of Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan. Their meeting will be held in the city of Aktau, in May of this year," a statement said.

Turkmenistan appoints Caspian Sea interdepartmental commission head
14.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov approved the composition of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Caspian Sea by appointing Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov as its chairman.

According to the Turkmen government, this corresponds to "tasks to carry out various activity in the Caspian Sea, defining its international legal status, practical solutions to problems related to cooperation between the littoral states, as well as coordination of Turkmen ministries and departments' activities on the Caspian Sea".

Turkmenistan's energy policy is a priority for EU cooperation
11.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

Cooperation with the European Union is a priority with Turkmenistan's energy policy, the Turkmen government said on Thursday.

It is also noted that at this stage that Turkmenistan cooperates with such states as Russia, China and Iran with its gas field.

The construction of the pipeline from Turkmenistan to China and the commissioning of the second branch of the pipeline to Iran are referred to as being important towards the diversification of pipelines.

Turkmen oil and gas industry minister reprimanded
11.05.2012
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Turkmenistan

Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan Bayramgeldi Nedirov was severely reprimanded, the Turkmen government said on Friday.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov's order notes "improper fulfillment of duties, untimely execution of the instructions".

This ministry is engaged in centralized management of field development and rational use of mineral resources, and ensures realization of a unified state policy in this sphere.