The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) began its annual summit in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on Wednesday to discuss future political, military and economic relations between the six members states of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
With both China and Russia competing for access to the region’s rich energy resources, gas and oil dominated summit discussions. The fight against terrorism and narcotics was also a focal point, with a particular emphasis on the escalating problems in Afghanistan.
The attendance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as guest of honour was a one particularly contentious aspect of the meeting. Coinciding with the summit, around 6,500 troops have been deployed by SCO member states for war games in what is being interpreted as a sign of the organisation’s growing assertiveness.
Meanwhile, tension is growing over Kazakhstan’s electronic voting system in the run up to parliamentary elections on 18th August. As RadioFreeEurope/Radio Liberty reports, IT experts have highlighted concerns over the risk that electronic votes can be manipulated. However, the authorities have dismissed such claims.
In Tajikistan, the freedom of the press came under threat as a new bill allowing courts to jail journalists for up to two years if they are found guilty of libel or insults came before the President. Media rights groups in both Tajikistan and Russia have petitioned Emomali Rahmon not to sign the new law.
On Tuesday the US urged Turkmenistan to diversify its energy market and allow more US companies to invest in the region, according to Reuters. In a veiled reference to Russian dominance of the Turkmen gas exports, Daniel Sullivan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs called for the country not to limit itself to ‘only one option’.
China has begun oil and natural gas exploration in the Ferghana region of Uzbekistan. With the world’s second largest reserve of oil and gas, Uzbekistan is eager to attract foreign investment but, as with other Central Asian countries, corruption and political turbulence have put off Western businesses.
China’s investment in Uzbekistan is one of many projects in the region, among them the construction of a major gas pipeline, running east from Turkmenistan. RadioFreeEurope/Radio Liberty reports that Kyrgyzstan has expressed interest in participating in the project.
Thanks to Matthew Jenkin for this week’s digest. Stay tuned to Central Asia Now for weekly news digests. Keep an eye out for our fortnightly analysis slots by regional experts.
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