Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is scheduled to travel to Ashgabat on Wednesday, 29 June, to attend a Summit of Caspian Sea littoral states. According to Iranian media, the president will head a high-level economic delegation to Turkmenistan’s capital. The press service of Kazakhstani president has already confirmed visit of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Ashgabat. Earlier, Kremlin’s […]
Turkmen FM discussed with his Iranian counterpart upcoming Caspian Summit
The forthcoming Summit of the Caspian littoral states in Ashgabat and the implementation of bilateral agreements were discussed during the telephone talks of foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov with his Iranian counterpart Amir Abdullahyan. Referring to the recent meeting of the two presidents in Tehran, Iranian foreign minister called the visit a turning point […]
President of Turkmenistan paid an official visit to Iran – Leaders agreed to sign strategic cooperation document for 20 years
nCa Report On 15 June 2022, the summit talks were held in Tehran between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Iran Seyed Ebrahim Raisi. The leaders of the two neighboring countries held meetings in a one-on-one format and in an expanded format with the participation of delegations. Tete-a-tete talks Iran is sincerely proud […]
Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan met his Iranian counterpart
The foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met Tuesday, 14 Jun, with his Iranian counterpart Hussein Amirabdollahian. The meeting discussed issues of mutual interest, ahead of a visit by Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Iran, said Iranian foreign ministry in a press release. Amirabdollahian once again offered congratulations to Turkmenistan on the successful holding of […]
Working Group on the Caspian Sea met in Iran
On 23-24 May 2022, the fourth meeting of the High-level Working Group on the Caspian Sea was held in Tehran, the foreign ministry of Kazakhstan said in a press release. The negotiations were attended by delegations of the Caspian five – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. In accordance with the agenda of the meeting, […]
Third Ministerial Meeting of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries – Outcomes
Elvira Kadyrova On 31 March 2022, the third ministerial conference of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries took place in the Chinese city of Tunxi, which was attended by Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Heads of participating delegations: Russia – minister of foreign affairs Sergey Lavrov China – chairman of the meeting – state councilor, […]
MFA China: More details on Afghanistan’s Neighboring Countries meeting
Elvira Kadyrova During regular press conference on Monday, 28 Mar, foreign ministry of China briefed on upcoming ministerial conference of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair the third Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan in Tunxi, Anhui on 30-31 March 2022. Foreign Ministers or representatives […]
China to host ministerial conference of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries
On 31 March 2022, Tunxi, China, will host the third ministerial conference of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the coordination of regional efforts on humanitarian and socioeconomic assistance to Afghanistan. The parties will compare approaches to countering the threats of […]
Ashgabat hosts 25th ECO Summit
The 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held in the capital today [28 Nov] under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The venue for the high-level meeting was a new fashionable hotel with a multi-profile business center “Garagum”, where all conditions have been created both for receiving distinguished guests and for holding […]
ECO Business Forum
Elvira Kadyrova Turkmenistan stroke worth over US $45 million deals with ECO partners Turkmenistan signed contracts worth over US $ 45 million following the business forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization, hosted by Ashgabat on 26 November, reported TDH news agency. The oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan has signed deals valued at US $11 […]
FMs of the neighboring countries of Afghanistan met in Tehran
Elvira Kadyrova On 27 October 2021, the second meeting of the foreign ministers of the countries bordering Afghanistan took place in Tehran, Iran. The foreign ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan attended in hybrid format the ministerial meeting. The disastrous withdrawal of the US-NATO troops from Afghanistan and the subsequent rise […]
President of Turkmenistan met with the leaders of Tajikistan and Iran in Dushanbe
Elvira Kadyrova On Friday, 17 September 2021, President Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to Tajikistan to participate in SCO anniversary summit in Dushanbe as an honorary guest. On the sidelines of the visit, the Turkmen leader met with his Tajik and Iranian counterparts. Meeting with the President of Iran President Berdimuhamedov congratulated President of the […]
SCO Anniversary Summit in Dushanbe: the outcomes of 20 years summed up, goals for greater Eurasian cooperation outlined
Elvira Kadyrova On 17 September 2021, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit was held in Dushanbe, dedicated to the twentieth jubilee of the organization. The session of the SCO Council of Heads of Member States, held under the chairmanship of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, was attended by: President Xi Jinping of China Prime Minister of India Narendra […]
Pakistani FM intends to visit the neighbors of Afghanistan
Elvira Kadyrova On 25-27 August 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, is likely to visit the countries bordering Afghanistan. This was reported by several Pakistani media, citing diplomatic sources. The main purpose of the visit to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran will be discussion of the situation in Afghanistan during […]
President of Turkmenistan and president-elect of Iran in telephone conversation
President Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and president-elect Ebrahim Raisi of Iran had a telephone conversation on Tuesday, 20 July 2021. They congratulated each other on the festival of Eid al-Adha and discussed a number of matters of mutual interest. Raisi highlighted the great potential for enhanced partnership and said that Iran considers Turkmenistan as more than […]
Whom Russia is ready to take as companions for solving Afghan puzzle
Elvira Kadyrova Russia strongly supports the settlement of the Afghan situation with the involvement of regional international organizations such as SCO, the CSTO, and the countries bordering Afghanistan. The statement came from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his remarks at the Moscow Conference on International Security on Wednesday, 23 June. “It is necessary to […]
As to why Ebrahim Raisi won presidential elections in Iran and what can be expected during his tenure
Tariq Saeedi Who helped Ebrahim Raisi win the presidential elections in Iran? — Donald Trump! This is a purposely ridiculous statement because there is more to it than meets the eye. Look at the timeline: 14 July 2015 – the USA, Iran and other nations announce the nuclear deal. Iran agrees to limit its uranium […]
Outcomes of SPIEF 2021 – Areas of direct relevance for Central Asia – Part One
nCa Report The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual event, being held since 1997. It was initially a platform to discuss development, business and economy within the Russian Federation and CIS but the scope has gradually expanded to make it an occasion of global importance. Since 2006, it has been held under […]
Iran creates free trade zone on border with Turkmenistan
Elvira Kadyrova The Iranian Expediency Council has okayed the creation of a free trade and industrial zone in Incheh-Borun in Golestan province on the border with Turkmenistan, Iranian media reported. Incheh-Boron is one of the key points along the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran rail corridor (north-south). Hadi Haghshenas, the governor of Golestan, confirmed the news and said that […]
Foreign minister of Iran visits Turkmenistan in last leg of Central Asia tour
The foreign minister of Iran, Javad Zarif visited Turkmenistan on 8 April 2021. He had separate meetings with President Berdimuhamedov and foreign minister Rashid Meredov. This was the last leg of his 5-8 April tour of Central Asia. His earlier stops were Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Here is the text of the three pressers of […]
Turkmen gas is a viable competitor of Iran and Russia in Europe – Russian expert
Elvira Kadyrova Turkmen gas, once on the European market, is able to wipe out the position of Russian Gazprom and a deprive Iran of potential market. This point of view was expressed in an interview with the news agency “Vestnik Kavkaza” by Andrey Kazantsev, Doctor of Political Sciences, chief researcher of the Analytical Center of […]
Iran preparing to launch 27 petrochemical projects with total worth of USD 17 billion early next year
Iran is planning to inaugurate 27 petrochemical projects by 1 March 2021 with total value of USD 17 billion. This was reported by the specialized news service of Iran, Shana, on 6 August 2020, quoting the Iranian minister of petroleum, Bijan Zangeneh. Zangeneh, who was addressing the launch ceremony of 3 petrochemical projects, said that […]
Role of China in the changing world
Tariq Saeedi The world was changing anyway; the Covid-19 and the policies of Trump administration have just accelerated the process. The Covid-19 has eaten the entrails of economies of most of the countries. Many of those countries will not be able to restart their economies on their own. China with its BRI (Belt and Road […]
Traffic on the Kazakhstan-Iran-Turkmenistan railway slightly declined, but still unaffected by coronavirus restrictions
Elvira Kadyrova In a view of coronavirus pandemic and forced restrictions taken in the transport sector by countries, cargo traffic along one of the most important transport routes in Central Asia namely the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway has slightly decreased. Thus, the performance data for Q1 2020 says near 273 thousand tons of various cargoes were transported […]
Turkmenistan provides humanitarian aid to brotherly Iran
Being committed to native traditions of good-neighborliness and high humane values, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed an Order, according to which humanitarian aid consisting of essential goods, including the medical tools were donated to the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the increase of cases of acute respiratory diseases evoked by the coronavirus on […]
Туркменистан оказывает гуманитарную помощь братскому Ирану
Будучи приверженным исконным традициям добрососедства и высоким гуманным ценностям, Президент Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов подписал распоряжение, в соответствии с которым, Исламской Республике Иран была передана гуманитарная помощь, состоящая из необходимых принадлежностей, включая медицинские, в связи с увеличением случаев острых респираторных заболеваний, вызванных новой коронавирусной инфекцией на территории братской страны. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 19 March 2020
American policies creating new stress points – Neutrality is the only viable option Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Central Asia is simultaneously blessed and cursed by its geography. Except for the soviet period, Central Asia has traditionally seen endless streams of people and cargo moving in all directions. The transit potential has been a dependable source of its prosperity. The region is at the heart of the Eurasian landmass. — The […]
New American sanctions – Punishment for people of Iran?
Tariq Saeedi Notwithstanding the showcase rhetoric, the new American sanctions announced on 10 January 2020 are clearly meant to punish the people of Iran for their failure to overthrow the regime. Here is the summary of the press release issued by the US Department of Treasury on 10 January 2020 The new sanctions apply to: […]
Iran-US spat – resizing of situation and a word of caution for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Iran fired some missiles at two US bases in Iraq on Tuesday and declared it as ‘proportionate response’ to the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday and hinted at increasing the pressure on Iran without going for further military action. Both sides desire de-escalation although the tussle through […]
Ирано-американский раздор – перемасштабирование ситуации и предупреждение для Центральной Азии
Тарик Саиди Иран выпустил несколько ракет по двум американским базам в Ираке во вторник и объявил это “пропорциональным ответом” на убийство генерала Кассема Солеймани. Трамп обратился к нации в среду и намекнул на усиление давления на Иран без дальнейших военных действий. Обе стороны стремятся к деэскалации, хотя борьба с помощью побочных средств, безусловно, будет продолжаться. […]
Iran situation – some words for Iran, some for the west, and a few for Central Asia – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi The gasoline prices in Iran were jacked up by 50% recently. This led to riots that caused damage to the public and private property, and a number of casualties occurred when the authorities dealt with the rioters with a heavy hand. The riots have subsided though they may smolder for a while. President […]
First Caspian Economic Forum – Part 3
At the inaugural session of the First Caspian Economic Forum at Awaza on 12 August 2019, the president of Turkmenistan, the prime ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, and the first vice president of Iran answered some questions from the moderator. We are presenting here the slightly summarized and paraphrased translation of their answer: Turkmenistan […]
Trump Unveils “Warsaw Plan”
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former COAS Pakistan friendscolumn@hotmail.com President Trump is building-up his strategic naval forces, in the Gulf Region, NOT to fight the ‘naval superiority battle’ of the deep seas, but to apply “Shock and Awe” therapy on the Iranians, suffering from decades of “Monetary Terrorism” and “Social Engineering” – an act of war, imposed […]
Иран – санкции, санкциями, а жизнь продолжается…
nCa Анализ – Эльвира Кадырова Пока в Белом Доме оценивают эффективность политики максимального давления на Тегеран и даже готовят в Варшаве саммит по Ближнему Востоку в антииранском духе, экономическая жизнедеятельность в Исламской Республике, что называется, продолжается весьма умеренными темпами. По крайней мере, согласно сообщениям иранским СМИ – все выглядит не так плохо, как кажется на […]
Iran – Life goes on amid US sanctions
nCa Analysis by Elvira Kadyrova While the White House assesses the effectiveness of the maximum pressure plan on Tehran and even prepares a summit on the Middle East in the anti-Iranian vein in Warsaw, Iran’s economic activity proceeds at quite moderate pace. At least, Iranian news media in their reports say the situation is not […]
Lapis Lazuli Corridor – Part 7
The members of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, except Georgia, are also the members of the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization). Therefore, ECO has an important role to play in the development of connectivity solutions in the region. Here is the text of the speech of Ambassador Hiseyin Avni Bicakh Deputy, the Secretary General of the Economic […]
Trump withdraws from Iran Nuclear Deal – Probable side effects for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi President Trump announced Tuesday (8 May 2018) that he was pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. This would potentially bring several consequences to the doors of Central Asia, some positive, some negative. There are four elements to this mix: 1. Rationale of Trump for ditching the Iran deal; 2. Response of US […]
Президент Ирана Рухани с визитом в Туркменистане
Новости и комментарий nCa Ашхабад, 28 марта 2018 (nCa) — 27-28 марта 2018 года Президент Ирана Хасан Рухани находится с визитом в Туркменистане. В первый день визита состоялись переговоры между двумя президентами. Подписано 12 двусторонних документов. Совместное заявление было опубликовано, но не было подписано президентами. Сегодня (28 марта 2018 года) Президент Ирана отправится в Марыйский […]
Rouhani visits Turkmenistan
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 28 March 2018 (nCa) — President Hassan Rouhani of Iran is visiting Turkmenistan, 27-28 March 2018. On the first day of his visit the summit talks were held between the two presidents and 12 bilateral documents were signed. A joint statement was issued though it was not signed by […]
2018 starts with new formats of pressure on Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi 3 January 2018 (nCa) – It is dismal yet knowable: 2018 has started with a mix of usual and fresh pressures on Central Asia. First tweets of 2018 President Trump, between his New Year festivities at Mar-a-Lago and a morning round of golf, took to Twitter: “Iran is failing at every level despite […]
Turkmenistan to go to International Court of Arbitration for gas-debt dispute with Iran
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 5 December 2017 (nCa) — Turkmenistan has decided to take its gas-debt settlement dispute with Iran to the International Court of Arbitration. The Turkmen TV reported on Monday that the latest round of talks between Turkmenistan and Iran on the clearance of huge outstanding debts had failed to reach any […]
3D visualization of Trump speech . . . sort of
Tariq Saeedi 21 September 2017 (nCa) — The Donald ‘MAGA’ Trump, the president of the United States addressed the United Nations on 19 September 2017. His speech has all the ingredients The Donald is made of: bullying, hatred, bigotry, myopic nationalism, and lavish charms for his voter base. It is important to create a kind […]
National Gas Company of Iran: A textbook example of how to damage own interests
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 26 January 2017 (nCa) — In search of a textbook example of how to damage own interests, we don’t have to go far. NIGC, the national Iranian gas company, is doing just that in a big way. After refusing to talk about the settlement of nearly USD 2 billion debts with Turkmenistan, […]
Turkmenistan-Iran Gas Dispute – What does Iran actually want?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 5 January 2017 (nCa) — It is perplexing – Hyperbole is the default mode of the Iranian side whereas Turkmenistan is explaining the situation in a calm and measured manner. What does Iran actually want? On 3 January 2017, NIGC (National Iranian Gas Company) issued a statement, adding several layers of untruth […]
Iranian penchant for drama, exaggeration complicates situation in gas deal – Turkmenistan issues clarification
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 3 January 2017 (nCa) — The matter was actually quite simple: You pay for what you use, you pay what you agreed to pay, and you pay when you are supposed to pay. We are talking of the Turkmen natural gas supplies to Iran, a purely economic matter that has acquired a […]
Russia sets ball rolling at international affairs ground – Part One
Resident of Central Asia 30 December 2016 (nCa) — Despite the western attempts to undermine the Russian economy by multiple layers of sanctions, Russia seems to have staged full-scale revival of its role as a counterweight to US-Europe tandem at the international political arena. Of course, it is too early to predict the future course […]
Countdown to WWIII?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 12 October 2015 (nCa) — Syria, in the centre of the brutal geopolitical jostling, could be the trigger point for WWII. With each passing day, new elements are adding to uncertainty, which may ultimately push everyone to the point of no return. Anton Chekhov, the celebrated Russian playwright and author: “If you […]
Putin’s Surprise – Caspian to Syria
nCa Report Ashgabat, 8 October 2015 (nCa) — On 10 September 2014, while chairing a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission, President Putin of Russia hinted at “unpleasant surprises for our Western partners.” He added that “the main thing is to avoid hysterics afterwards.” The milieu of these remarks was rather broad. — President Obama said […]
Сюрприз от Путина – Из Каспия в Сирию
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 8 октября 2015 (nCa) — 10 сентября 2014 года в ходе заседания Военно-промышленной комиссии Президент России Путин намекнул на «неприятный сюрприз для наших западных партнеров». Он добавил, что «главное впоследствии избежать истерики». Среда для этих замечаний довольна широкая. — Президент Обама заявил в ходе 69-й сессии Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН в прошлом году, […]
Turkmenistan Conducts Border Protection Exercise in Integrated Mode
nCa Report Ashgabat, 15 December 2014 (nCa) — Turkmenistan conducted Sunday (14 Dec) a major border protection exercise, demonstrating its ability to respond swiftly and in an integrated manner to border violations. The Exercise Here is the scenario of the exercise: A border patrol spots a group of armed intruders crossing the state borders and […]