Tag Archives: international relations

Economic boom in Georgia

AUG. 29 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – For the full year to end-July, its grew by 7.2%, a rise from 6.2% for the 12 months to the end of June, Georgia’s statistics agency said.

This growth far outstrips other countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Georgia is less reliant on Russia’s economy, which has been faltering on sanctions imposed on it since fighting broke out in Ukraine.

Instead, Georgia is increasingly looking to the European Union for economic growth. This month it will receive another boost when its accession into a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU comes into force. This will give it products — especially agriculture products, wine and water — a boost in Europe.

To coincide with this, Moody’s the ratings agency increased Georgia’s outlook to one notch below investment grade.

“We hope to see new businesses oriented on exporting their goods to the EU market and this, in turn, will lead to the diversification and growth of exports,” Mikheil Janelidze, deputy minister for the economy and sustainable development, told eurasiaNet.org.

In comparison, Armenia’s economy is faltering because of its over-reliance on Russia. Officials there are beginning to sound increasingly worried, also, about its impending admission to the Russia-led Customs Union.

In Central Asia, too, economies are under increasing pressure because of their over reliance on Russia.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 198, published on Sept. 3 2014)

Kyrgyzstan prepares CU laws

AUG. 29 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Kyrgyz PM Djoomart Otorbayev approved a long list of bills and laws to be passed through parliament in order for Kyrgyzstan to become a member of the Russia-led Customs Union this year. The list is further evidence that Kyrgyzstan is committed to joining the group.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 198, published on Sept. 3 2014)

Economy slides in Armenia

SEPT. 1 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Armenia’s economy grew by only 2.3% in the second quarter of this year compared to a year earlier, the national statistics agency reported.

The low growth underscores concerns about the Armenian economy. In August, the Central Bank cut its full year growth forecast to between 3.6% and 4.2% from 4.1% and 4.8% because of the impact of sanctions on Russia’s economy. The health of the Russian economy is vital to Armenia.

Other international economic organisations have followed and warned that economic growth in 2014 will be lower than growth in 2013.

This is, of course, worrying for Armenian officials who are looking to boost the economy. The danger for Armenia is that it’s trapped in having to follow Russia.

Armenia is surrounded by enemies, mainly Turkey and Azerbaijan, and looks to Russia for support but with the Russian economy increasingly fragile because of sanctions this is dangerous.

And Armenia appears destined to join the Russia-led Customs Union later this year. These are definitely difficult times for Armenia’s policymakers.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 198, published on Sept. 3 2014)

US supports Georgian NATO ambition

AUG. 22 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – In a boost for Georgia’s chances of joining NATO, or at least making serious progress towards joining, US vice-president Joe Biden said that he supported the Georgian ambition of joining the Western military alliance, media reported. NATO is due to meet for its annual conference in September.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 197, published on Aug. 27 2014)

HRW criticise Blair on Kazakh President advice

AUG. 24 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Human rights groups have criticised former British PM Tony Blair for penning a letter in 2012 to Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev giving him advice on how to refer in a speech to deadly clashes between police and anti- government demonstrators. Mr Blair has been an adviser to Mr Nazarbayev since 2011.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 197, published on Aug. 27 2014)

Russia lifts restrictions on Kyrgyz food imports

AUG. 22 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Perhaps trying to woo Kyrgyzstan into the embrace of the Customs Union, Russia agreed to lift restrictions on the import of Kyrgyz agriculture products, media reported. The restrictions were imposed over food safety fears. Kyrgyzstan has applied to join the Russia-led Customs Union later this year.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 197, published on Aug. 27 2014)

Iran stops importing gas from Turkmenistan

AUG. 18 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Iran has said that it will stop importing gas from Turkmenistan, media reported. Most of Turkmenistan’s gas flows to China and Iran was not a major client but, even so, the Iranian decision to stop imports will irk. With its economy improving, Iran has said that it plans to ramp up its own gas production.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 196, published on Aug. 20 2014)

China pledges to help Tajikistan on security

AUG. 19 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Demonstrating China’s regional prowess, the Chinese security chief, Meng Jianzhu, pledged to help Tajikistan beef up its law enforcement services and security operations. China has been increasing its clout in Central Asia over the past few years and now considers the region as part of its extended domain.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 196, published on Aug. 20 2014)

Russia gives Kyrgyzstan $500m

AUG.12 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – Russia has agreed to give Kyrgyzstan $500m to prepare for joining the Customs Union. Kyrgyzstan is hoping to join the Customs Union, which will morph into the Eurasian Economic Union, later this year. Belarus and Kazakhstan are already members.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 195, published on Aug. 13 2014)

Turkmen-Pakistan ties improve

AUG. 8 2014 (The Conway Bulletin) – The TAPI gas pipeline that is planned to run from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India is already influencing regional trade links. At a meeting in Ashgabat to discuss progress on the project, Pakistan and Turkmenistan also agreed to improve bilateral ties.

ENDS

(News report from Issue No. 195, published on Aug. 13 2014)