17.05.2021-23.05.2021 No 307

SADYR JAPAROV’S ERA IN : AN EVALUATION ON FOREIGN POLICY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS The constitutional amendment referendum the country, ensuring stability and propos- aid and investment. Considering that Ka- and local council elections (kenesh) were ing solutions to the social, economic and zakhstan has invested more than 1 billion held together in Kyrgyzstan on April 11th other problems of the country. On this point dollars in the economy of Kyrgyzstan in the 2021. According to the Kyrgyzstan Central the issue of having additional powers that past 15 years, it is stated that investment is- Election Commission (CEC), while will allow to increase the political power of sues between the two countries are among 1.295.096 people (39.09%) voted in the lo- the presidential office and the possibility of the important topics of the meetings. The cal council elections, 1.338.717 people amending the provisions regarding the term parties also signed an agreement to increase (37.12%) voted for the referendum in 2.483 of office of the president are also discussed. relations between young people and dis- ballot boxes throughout the country. While In addition to these, it is expected that the cussed the possibility of increasing the num- 79.37% of voters supported the new consti- new advisory body People’s Congress ber of Kyrgyz students in Kazakhstan uni- tutional draft, 13.67% opposed it in the ref- would be established. versities by 10 times, increasing the number erendum. By looking at these numbers we Issues such as improving the state of the of scholarships to 50 and opening a branch can state that the rule of voting at least 30% country’s economy and increasing the wel- of one of the leading universities. In addi- of the total 3.606.201 voters in the country, fare of the people are among the leading is- tion, further development of the consulta- which is necessary for the referendum to be sues on the agenda of President Japarov in tion meeting format of Central Asian lead- considered valid, is fulfilled. the economic field. In terms of ensuring ers, joint action against the COVID-19 pan- Constitutional amendments brought to the this, Japarov argued that savings measures demic, and medical assistance were also agenda by President Sadyr Japarov are should be increased by reducing financially considered. among the reasons for holding a referendum inefficient work. As an example for this, in President Japarov made his third official in the country. Among the most important his Presidential oath ceremony, he stated visit to Uzbekistan on March 11th 2021. Dur- issues of these changes are the transitions of that they would fulfil only the mandatory ing the visit, the Presidents of the two coun- the country from a parliamentary structure procedures required by law and funds from tries discussed the issues of cooperation in to a presidential model. On March 11th 2021, the state budget should be allocated to the political, trade, economy, transportation and the deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament needs of the people. Administrative reforms communication, and other fields. During the (Jogorku Kenesh) approved the draft law to in this regard are expected to enable eco- meeting the importance of development of hold a referendum on the “Law on the Con- nomic growth and stability, and will enable commercial and economic cooperation was stitution of the Kyrgyz Republic” and set the the country to attract more foreign invest- pointed out and it was also noted that com- referendum date as April 11th 2021. Within ment and create wider opportunities for re- mercial and economic relations are key ar- the political system of Kyrgyzstan, there are alization of long-term investments. eas for strategic cooperation between the also articles such as the establishment of a President Japarov aims to strengthen rela- two countries. During the negotiations, the new institution called “People’s Congress” tions with important actors in the region goal was set to double the bilateral trade vol- and reducing the number of deputies in the such as neighboring countries and Russia in ume in the next few years by diversifying parliament from 120 to 90. the international arena. Therefore he made and expanding trade between the two coun- There have been criticisms from the opposi- his first official visit to Russia on February th tries and reducing trade barriers. Moreover, tion stating that return to the presidential 24 2021 and met with his counterpart, Vla- views were exchanged on the idea of estab- system and the reductions of the number of dimir Putin. After the meeting, the infor- lishing the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Investment deputies in the parliament were moves to in- mation that took place in the press included Fund. crease the political power of the presidency. that in the near future Russian investors As a result, President Japarov has made sig- This is the 11th and the second referendum would invest in various areas of Kyrgyzstan. nificant gains in the international arena with in the 2021 in the political history of Kyr- At this point, Russian-Kyrgyz Development his visits to countries that are important in gyzstan. It has been observed that the coun- Fund announced that as of May 1st 2021, ap- line with the foreign policy of his country, try has experienced a turbulent period in its proximately 3.000 projects worth 434 mil- political life in recent years, and the protests lion dollars were approved in all regions of both in the development of bilateral rela- that took place after the October 4th 2020 the country. When we look at the sectoral tions and in providing support in many areas parliamentary elections led to the cancella- distribution of these investments, manufac- from foreign investment to education, health tion of the election results and the resigna- turing takes the lead with 30%, followed by and humanitarian aid. While increasing the tion of the incumbent President Sooronbay the agricultural sector with 23%. Moreover, powers of the presidency on the one hand, Jeenbekov. In order to overcome the politi- it is planned to invest around 12% in the on the other hand with the establishment of cal crisis in the country, early presidential fields of transport and logistics, tourism and People’s Congress shows that he will gov- elections were held on January 10th 2021 infrastructure development. ern the country in a new political system and where Sadyr Japarov won the elections by President Japarov made his second official understanding. We will see in the future receiving 1.110.412 (79.20%) votes. visit to Kazakhstan. During the visit, ap- what kinds of gains and experiences this President Japarov advocates for the transi- proximately 180 documents were signed be- change will bring to Kyrgyzstan and tion to the through ref- tween Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the whether President Japarov will achieve his erendum on ending the political turmoil in fields of political, economic, humanitarian promised goals.

Written by Balzhan Eshmetova, Eurasian Research Institute, Kazakhstan Politics, Foreign Affairs, and Security Economy, Finance, and Energy Society and Culture  The Kassym-Jomart  To ensure food security, the Government of  The Kazakhstan handed over to Kyrgyzstan Tokayev made an official visit to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan developed a new set of measures. 4,500 tons of flour as humanitarian aid. The where he had a meeting with his Tajik coun- It plans to implement 285 investment pro- cargo loaded in 75 wagons was delivered by terpart Emomali Rakhmon. The Presidents jects, which aim to substitute imports of food rail to . The Ambassador of Kazakh- discussed a wide range of issues, including and agricultural products. In 2021, four dairy stan to Kyrgyzstan Rapil Zhoshybayev and the strategic partnership, strengthening the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and political dialogue, trade, economic invest- farms, two poultry farms and one fruit storage ment, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. were constructed in Kazakhstan. Currently, Forestry of Kyrgyzstan Azamat Mukashev They paid special attention to issues of ensur- the authorities and business community are attended the ceremony of handing over. The ing security and stability in Central Asia. creating seven large ecosystems for the pro- Kyrgyz side expressed deep gratitude for the President Tokayev expressed heartfelt grati- duction and processing of food products. The assistance provided by Kazakhstan tude to the for excep- Government plans to achieve self-sufficiency (Astanatimes, 19.05.2021). tional hospitality and mentioned the im- in many food products up to 80% (Qazaq TV,  The Secretary-General of the Turkic Council portance of strengthening bilateral coopera- 20.05.2021). Baghdad Amreyev had a telephone conversa- tion (Kazinform, 20.05.2021).  According to the Association of Kazakhstan tion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of  Within the framework of the regular meeting Automobile Business, during the four months the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bay- of the Collective Security Treaty Organiza- of 2021, the sales of Uzbek Chevrolet cars in ramov. The sides discussed the current state tion’s Ministerial Council in , the Kazakhstan surged by almost 5000% com- of cooperation between the Turkic Council Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan pared to the same period last year. In particu- and Azerbaijan and reiterated their determi- and Russia Ruslan Kazakbaev and Sergei lar, citizens of Kazakhstan purchased 8923 nation for further strengthening of coordina- Lavrov held bilateral talks. The Ministers dis- tion in the realization of the current Agenda cussed the implementation of the previously Uzbek cars, while in the previous year sales amounted to 186 units. As a result, the brand of the Turkic Council. The parties also dis- reached agreements and exchanged views on cussed in detail the preparations for the up- topical issues of Kyrgyz-Russian coopera- topped the list of the best-selling car models in Kazakhstan (UzReport, 19.05.2021). coming Summit of the Turkic Council sched- tion. Sergei Lavrov noted the need to con- uled for fall 2021 in Istanbul (Turkkon.org, tinue the negotiation process on the delimita- According to the board of director of the  18.05.2021). tion and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik Kumtor Gold Company Tengiz Bolturuk, the state border (Kabar, 19.05.2021). National Bank of Kyrgyzstan will purchase  The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination  The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, all gold from the Kumtor gold mine. Cur- Agency (TIKA) provided equipment aid to Georgia and Moldova signed a memorandum rently, all accounts of Kumtor company are the Irpin Sanatorium and Rehabilitation Med- in Kyiv that formalizes their cooperation on a frozen and are located outside Kyrgyzstan. In ical Center at the Irpin Hospital operating un- joint path towards membership in the EU. this regard a trilateral agreement between the der the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The The three former Soviet states agreed to de- National Bank, Kumtor Gold Company and aid included different medical equipment for velop joint initiatives in dialogue with EU in- Kyrgyz Altyn is being prepared for purchas- the clinic such as folding beds, cubicle cur- stitutions and coordinate their positions ing gold from the Kumtor. In February 2021, tains for ergotherapy and psychological reha- within the Eastern Partnership. By doing so, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan established a bilitation, continuous passive motion devices the three countries confirmed their European for knee joints and other materials. The Pres- aspirations and committed themselves to co- State Commission to inspect Kumtor's opera- tions. Kumtor Gold Company is a subsidiary idential Commissioner for Rehabilitation of ordinate their actions in implementing re- the Participants of Military Action of forms and modernization plans (Balkanin- of the Canadian gold mining company Cen- terra Gold Inc (Kabar, 20.05.2021). Ukraine, Vadim Sviridenko, expressed his sight, 18.05.2021). gratitude towards TIKA and underlined that  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan  Minister of Finance and Economy of Turk- they had carried out an important project in Sirojidin Mukhriddin received the EU Spe- menistan Mukhammetgeldy Serdarov had a the shortest time (Reliefweb.int, 21.05.2021). cial Representative for Central Asia Peter working meeting with the head of the Euro- Burian. The parties exchanged views on co- pean Bank for Reconstruction and Develop-  hosted a meeting of the mayors of operation within frameworks of the EU and ment (EBRD) office in Turkmenistan Fatih friendly and sister cities. The event was held Central Asia, the EU's New Strategy for the Turkmenoglu. The parties discussed pro- in honor of the 140th anniversary of Ash- region and the EU's program in Tajikistan. spects for the participation of the bank in mu- gabat and was organized in a hybrid format. The sides also discussed issues of regional se- nicipal projects in Turkmenistan and assis- The event was attended online by mayors and curity and stability, the situation in Afghani- tance in the development of financial markets deputy mayors of many cities around the stan, threats of terrorism and extremism. The in the country. They also considered issues of world and local representatives of interna- importance of cooperation between the EU financing small business projects. Turkmeni- tional organizations. The participants were and Central Asia and dialogues on political, shown a video about the achievements of the stan’s cooperation with the bank in the non- security and human rights issues were em- white marble capital (Centralasia.news, state sector improved and the EBRD started phasized during the meeting (Centralasia.me- 21.05.2021). dia, 22.05.2021). to finance a number of projects (Orient, 19.05.2021).  An Uzbek delegation of famous cinema art-  The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council ists organized Uzbek Cinema Days in Tajiki- meeting was held online under the chairman-  The Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for stan. The opening ceremony of the Days of ship of Kazakhstan with the participation of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Uzbek Cinema in Tajikistan took place at the the heads of all five member-states. The Pres- Stefanishyna announced that the EU might Vatan cinema in Dushanbe. Three feature idents of Uzbekistan and Cuba were also in- decide to allocate the second tranche of vited to the meeting as heads of observer films and three documentaries were shown at macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the the event. The heads of the film industries of states to the . The amount of €600 million in September. In or- agenda of the event included current issues of the two countries spoke about the role of joint der to receive the tranche, Ukraine needs to cultural events and shared information about practical cooperation in various sectors of the fulfill the necessary conditions. In April of economy such as further reducing barriers to the planned projects for the development of trade, industrial cooperation, facilitation of 2020, the European Commission decided to Uzbek and Tajik cinema (Uzdaily, transit and transportation and other topics. provide Ukraine with €1.2 billion financial 20.05.2021). The participants adopted a number of docu- assistance, half of which Ukraine received in  The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mir- ments at the end of the meeting (Centrala- December 2020 (Ukrinform, 21.05.2021). ziyoyev proposed an initiative to declare the sia.media, 19.05.2021).  Bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innova-  Minister of Defense of Kyrgyzstan Taalaibek and the UK is deepening. Recently, the two tions and technologies aimed to recover and Omuraliev received the newly appointed countries signed a memorandum of under- improve the environment, preserve natural Ambassador of Turkey to Kyrgyzstan, Ah- standing on clean energy transition during the resources and enhance the quality of life in met Sadik Dogan. The sides exchanged views fourth session of the Joint Intergovernmental the region. Recently, the United Nations Gen- on the current state and further prospects of Commission on economic cooperation held eral Assembly within its 75th plenary session bilateral cooperation in the military sphere. in Baku on May 20. The memorandum aims unanimously adopted this resolution. The The sides also noted the need to build up the to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the General Assembly called for country-level, existing potential in the field of military and military-technical cooperation between Kyr- fields of renewable energy, energy effi- regional and multilateral cooperation to de- gyzstan and Turkey. Minister Omuraliev ciency, low-carbon technologies, transition velop and implement environmentally sound congratulated Ambassador Dogan on his ap- to the liberal energy market, and explore op- technologies in line with the 2030 Agenda for pointment to a high and responsible position portunities for solving the climate change Sustainable Development (UzReport, (Kabar.kg, 20.05.2021). problem (AzerNews, 21.05.2021). 19.05.2021).

Prepared by Zhengizkhan Zhanaltay and Kanat Makhanov