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...

Cental Asia

Expert: Several reasons given for transfer of Kazakh presidential adviser to ambassadorship
05.04.2013
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Kazakhstan

The main reason behind appointing former adviser to the Kazakh president Yermukhamet Yertysbayev ambassador is to try to renew the work of the ideological sphere and domestic policies, head of internal policy department of the Institute of Political Solutions, Maxim Kaznacheyev said.

A new candidate will be chosen for the position of Presidential Adviser, he told Trend on Thursday.

Uzbek president receives Russian FM
05.04.2013
Cental Asia|Public Policy & Politics|Uzbekistan

Uzbek President Islam Karimov has today received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tashkent in connection with participation in the session of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council, the Uzbek news agency (UzA) reported today.

President Karimov stressed that the Uzbek side appreciates the achieved level of strategic partnership between the two countries, allowing to consistently implement great potential of mutually beneficial and equal relations in various fields.

Tariffs for public utilities increase in Uzbekistan
01.04.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Uzbekistan

Tariffs for natural gas sold to the public in Uzbekistan increased by 14 percent, for the central heating, hot and cold water supply - by 13.5 percent, electricity - by 7.4 percent from April 1.

In addition, from now tariff for removal of domestic waste increased by 53.3 percent - from 1,500 up to 2,300 sum per person.

Astana-Almaty high speed railway to be constructed in Kazakhstan
01.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Science & Technology

It is planned to start constructing the Astana-Almaty high speed rail line in 2013, Kazakh Minister of Transport and Communications Askar Zhumagaliyev said during a government hour in the Majilis (a lower chamber of the Kazakh parliament) on Monday.

"It is planned to begin constructing the railway this year," he said. "The travel time between the two large cities of the republic will be reduced from 12 to five hours."

Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia sign agreements
01.04.2013
Cental Asia|Public Policy & Politics|Uzbekistan

The schedule of regular meetings of the bilateral cooperation institutions, including consultations between the foreign ministries, was discussed on Monday by the administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Saudi ambassador in Tashkent Abdulrahman bin Abdullah al-Shaie, the press service of the Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.

Kyrgyzstan and Iran considering bilateral visa facilitation
01.04.2013
Cental Asia|Public Policy & Politics|Kyrgyzstan

The issue of bilateral simplification of visa regime for citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Iran in order to enhance the tourism sectors and attract investments to the countries was discussed at a meeting of the Toraga (speaker) of Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of Kyrgyzstan Asylbek Jeenbekov and parliamentarian Nazarali Aripov with Iranian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Ali Najafi Hoshrudi, Tazabek writes with reference to the press service of Jogorku Kenesh.

The Iranian side also expressed interest in intensification of economic and trade relations between the countries.

Regular flights open between Astana and Kiev
01.04.2013
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Kazakhstan

As of April 1, regular flights are opened between Astana and Kiev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Kazakhstan Oleg Demin said on Monday.

"An agreement was reached on carrying out of flights on parity basis between the Ukrainian and Kazakh airline - "Air Astana" and SCAT from April 1," Demin said.

He said the flights will be between Aktau and Kiev and three times a week between Almaty and Kiev and three times a week from Astana to Kiev.

Earlier Ukrainian Airlines operated the flights, Demin said.

Electricity rates to up in Uzbekistan from April 1
25.03.2013
Cental Asia|Science & Technology|Uzbekistan

Uzbekenergo State Joint Stock Company (JSC) has announced the increase of electricity rates from April 1, 2013.

According to the company, the cost per kW/h of electricity will increase by 7.4 percent - to 112.2 soum (104.4 soum previously).

For houses equipped with electric stoves, the cost per kW / h of electricity will be increased to 56.1 soum from 52.2 soum.

The previous increase in electricity prices was undertaken in Uzbekistan in October 2012. Then the growth of electricity tariffs amounted to 7 percent.

The official exchange rate on March 22 is 2035.05 sum / $ 1.

Up to three companies to join ’People's IPO’ programme in Kazakhstan
25.03.2013
Business & Economics|Cental Asia|Kazakhstan

Two or three companies will be brought out to the 'People's IPO' programme in Kazakhstan by the end of the year, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kairat Kelimbetov said at a press conference in Astana on Monday.

He said the next stage of the programme will begin in the second quarter of 2013 by selling KEGOC's shares. It is planned to auction the shares of KazTransGas and Samruk-Energo within the programme in the final quarter of this year.

"Samruk-Energo's shares will be put up for sale if the concept of developing the Kazakh energy sector is completed on schedule," Kelimbetov said.

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan to discuss implementation of Economic Cooperation Strategy
25.03.2013
Cental Asia|Public Policy & Politics|Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will discuss the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Strategy for 2007-2016.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrisov will pay a working visit to Uzbekistan on March 26, the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan said on Monday.

The fulfillment of the agreements reached at the Uzbek-Kazakh summit held in Astana in September 2012 will be discussed at the talks scheduled to take place at the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan.

In addition, some international and regional issues will also be considered.