On April 27 of this year, the Russian Minister of Defence announced the creation of a joint aerial defence system between Russia and Tajikistan. This decision is driven by the deterioration of the situation of its neighbouring countries, such as Afghanistan.This article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on 4 May 2021. The military cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan is growing stronger. Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Minister of Defence, announced on April 27 that an aerial defence system shared between Russia and Tajikistan is in the making. The decision was taken in Dushanbe, on the occasion of meetings with his Tajik counterpart, Sherali Mirzo.

As TASS, the Russian press agency reported, Sergei Shoigu elucidated on the aims and reasons of such an endeavour. He declared: “In order to increase the reliability of the protection of our state’s airspace, we came up with an agreement regarding the creation of a regional joint aerial defence system between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan”, before putting forward the signature of this agreement at the end of the meeting.

A security issue for Tajikistan

The growing threat of the situation in Afghanistan pushed to the realisation of such a project. The Russian Minister of Defence explained that “In the midst of the degradation of Afghanistan’s condition, we plan on repelling any possible threats”. He then added, “We pay increased attention to a bilateral communication regarding defence, as well as to the functioning of the Russian 201st military base.”. The 201st military base is the main Russian installation on Tajik’s soil. Read more: Hardening Positions on Afghanistan following Summit in Dushanbe Tajikistan should not only be worried about the Afghan threat, since the country also has thorny relations with Kyrgyzstan. Deadly struggles between Tajiks and Kyrgyz groups are all too common, the latest, dating from the 28th of April, claimed over 30 Kyrgyz and 10 Tajik lives. This is a twofold challenge for Tajikistan: the country has everything to gain by reinforcing its security. The Russian Minister of Defence also stated that Russia and Tajikistan are working on the “questions of practical interactions during exercises”. Indeed, from April 19 to 23, Russian and Tajik troops carried out a large-scale, joint military exercise, as reported by the TASS. In total, 50,000 soldiers have been mobilized, and administrative heads of the Khatlon region (south-east of Tajikistan) took part in the operation. The latter aimed at reproducing the collapse of a border where a hypothetical enemy would invade Tajikistan, hence reflecting the country’s concerns regarding its security.

Russian-Tajik military cooperation

Sergei Shoigu has also declared that Russia is ready to increase the number of Tajik soldiers within Russian Military Universities and is expecting the participation of Tajik’s military contingent during strategic manoeuvres West-2021. The name of the operation, coined by Russian general Valery Gerasimov, designates the large-scale Russian-Belarusian military exercises scheduled for September 2021, as reported by the Russian journal Rossiskaya Gazeta. In keeping with the military partnership with Tajikistan, Russia provides the latter with weapons and equipment as well as free training for the students enrolled in Russian military universities, as detailed by Sergueï Choïgou. “Over 5% of Tajik soldiers are currently being trained in Russia, and up to a thousand are being trained each year at the 20th Russian military base. We are expecting to increase the number of recruits”.

An old-established Russian involvement

This is actually not the first proposal for a military partnership between Russia and Tajikistan. On September 12, 2020, a decree enacting the creation of a joint military aerial defence system had already been agreed upon by Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, as reported by Asia Plus, an independent Tajik media. Unlike the agreement announced on the 27th of April, this one is part of the unified air defence system of the Commonwealth of Independent States, of which all Central Asian countries are members. Read more: Central Asia and Russia: an ever-changing relationship Russia’s involvement in Central Asia’s military sector is expanding. On 26 May 2020, Russia offered Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan the role of a mediator to resolve the frontier dispute. Russia also signed an “unprecedented” military cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan in October 2020. Yet, Russia is competing with China in the development of Tajikistan. The Middle Empire operates several gold mines on Tajik’s soil, which benefits both countries, although the ledge is running out. Besides this, the construction of a Chinese airport on Tajik’ border was initiated in April 2020. It was also revealed, in 2019, that China has a secret military base in the country.  

Leonard Dillies Editor of Novastan

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On May 10, Total Eren’s project to install a large-scale solar plant in Uzbekistan received monetary support from three international institutions, including the European Investment Bank. The project announced in 2018 is now ready to launch.This article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on 17 May 2021. It is financing that should finalize the launch of Total’s solar plant in Uzbekistan. On May 10, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) revealed that the Uzbek government had received €87,4 million (£72,3 million) aid to finance the construction of the French group’s plant. This financial aid will contribute to the construction of a 100-megawatt solar power plant near the city of Samarkand, in eastern Uzbekistan. The construction supervisor is Tutly Solar LLC, a group owned by Total Eren, itself a subsidiary of the French oil giant Total. Tutly published a technical report describing the numerous aspects and implications of this project.

Multiple aids

Three organizations participated in the financial assistance: the EBRD, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Proparco, the subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD). The loan granted by the EIB amounts to €43,7 million (£36.2 million), whereas the two others have invested about €21,8 million each (£18,6 million). Once the plant is set up, the electricity will be sold to the national Uzbek power supplier under a 25-year purchase agreement. The country has high potential in the solar energy sector, which is growing fast in Central Asia.

300 jobs created

In a commentary to Novastan, Total Eren stated it had selected Uzbekistan for several reasons. Uzbekistan is the most populated country in Central Asia, and it benefits from high quality solar and wind resources, coupled with a notably stable and balanced economy. Read more: Agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan paves the way for Trans-Caspian Pipeline The group has also highlighted the fact that the Uzbek government is actively trying to expand the renewable energy market. With this in mind, they created a favourable economic environment for investments and have directly supported Total Eren’s project. All in all, Total Eren estimates that this project will create more than 300 new constructing jobs and 15 permanent positions. The solar plant could also be the first of many projects of this kind in the country.

A step towards the development of renewable energies

However, most of the benefits of the project obviously lie in energy production. On 4 May 2020, Uzbekistan has set up a reinforcement plan to meet the ever-growing needs in energy and the diversification of energy production. According to the EBRD, the construction of the solar plant should reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions by 160 000 tonnes of CO2 and produce 270 GWh of electricity per year.

More broadly, the solar plant aims to “achieve carbon neutrality of the power sector by 2050, as well as to make sure this development is consistent with the commitments made under the Paris Agreement “, as explained by Nadita Parshad, Managing Director of the EBRD’s Sustainable Infrastructure Group. “Tutly is an investment in local economic development and the future of our planet“, says Teresa Czerwińska, EIB Vice-President responsible for operations in Uzbekistan, in her statement. The project is also in line with the 17 sustainable development goals set by the UN in 2015 for the year 2030. The list involves, among others, the use and accessibility of renewable energy, community sustainability and infrastructure innovations.

A long-standing project

The future solar power plant is one of the first renewable energy projects in the private sector in Uzbekistan. The solar plant initiative goes back to 5 October 2018, when Total Eren had first negotiations with the national electricity company, Uzbekenergo.  On 13 September 2019, the project became a reality, when the Uzbek national electric network signed the electricity sales contract. Finally, a decree was signed on 13 May 2020 by Uzbek president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Read more: Breathing space: air quality and energy transition in Kazakhstan Uzbekistan’s cooperation with foreign countries in the renewable energy sector is not unprecedented. On 8 June, the Uzbek Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade announced that the UAE company Masdar will build a large-scale wind power plant. On the French side, ties with Uzbekistan in this area are pretty strong. On 25 May 2020, Uzbekistan announced it had signed a €55.8 million (£46.3 million) loan contract with AFD to support the hydropower sector. French companies are also playing a prominent role in the development of sustainable energy in Uzbekistan. In a report dated April 2020, the International Energy Agency mentioned Uzbekistan’s renewable energy potential. According to its figures, the country has a gross potential of 2.2 megatons of oil equivalent in wind power, 9.2 megatons in hydropower and 50 973 megatons in solar power.

Léonard Dillies Editor of Novastan

Translated from French by Eva Houdu

Edited by Anna Wilhelmi  

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On May the 3rd 2021, the two ministers spoke about the future of the Franco Uzbek cooperation, the possible prospects and the actual obstacle. Their telephone conversation demonstrates a new step towards a partnership already robust.

This article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on 10 May 2021.

As reported by Uzbek media Uzbekistan Daily, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov, rang his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on 3 May 2021.

The two ministers discussed the current situation and the perspective of the Franco-Uzbek cooperation in political, commercial, economic, cultural, and humanitarian areas among others.

A full schedule for Uzbekistan and France

The joint events to come between both countries were inspected, such as the next meeting of the Franco-Uzbek intergovernmental committee on commercial and economic cooperation. The latter was held on May 10 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, as described by the French minister of Foreign Affairs. Both counterparts also mentioned the second ministerial meeting as part of the France-Central Asia format.

Abdulaziz Kamilov and Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed some local problems in Central Asia regarding security. Afghanistan’s situation was part of the discussion, together with the recent confrontation at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border that has caused about fifty deaths. In such circumstances, both ministers expressed the necessity of a local stability.

Read more on Novastan: What are the underlying reasons for the deadly Kyrgyz-Tajik border clashes?

At the end of the discussion, Abdulaziz Kamilov expressed his will to see France be part of the International Conference “Central and Southern Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenge and opportunity.” This conference, which will take place in July 2021 in Tashkent, will be welcoming the involvement of Russia, as declared by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Serguey Lavrov.

This event should allow Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan to talk about the development of the transport network between the three countries. This is a major issue which is part of a tourism development project announced by Uzbek government in late February. In late April, a railway line between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan has been provided with electricity, showing the ambition of developing the railway network.

Read more on Novastan: Russia commits to railroad corridor China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan

Jean-Yves Le Drian already had the will to strengthen the relationship of France and Uzbekistan. During a conference held on July 20 2018, the minister delivered a speech describing the willpower of France to reinforce the commercial and economic relationships with Uzbekistan. “I deeply wish France to become a partner in Uzbekistan. To achieve this goal, I know that administration and businesses […] are not sparing themselves.”, he concluded in his speech.

However, this speech was the last connection between Uzbekistan and Jean-Yves Le Drian before the telephonic talk with his counterpart on 3 May.

France and Uzbekistan, a long-time cooperation

The relations between the two countries are not new. Since the ratification of the friendship and cooperation treaty between Uzbekistan and France in 1993, both demonstrate a strong bond and work together in several fields.

French companies are particularly involved in Uzbekistan’s business. In December 2020, an agreement was signed to allow French company Rungis to set up in Uzbekistan. And vice versa, Uzbek businesses collaborate with France. In late April, Uzbek society Global Exports furnished thousands of tons of beans to Bonduelle, a massive vegetable distribution company in France.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan is not the first minister from Central Asia with whom Jean-Yves Le Drian talked recently. This establishing contact with Abdulaziz Kamilov is reminiscent of the conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Kazakhstan, Mukhtar Tleuberdi on late April 28, as reported by the French ministry’s website. In the same fashion, the two ministers discussed relationships between both countries and expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation.

Léonard Dillies Writer for Novastan

Translated from French by Flavie Deschamps

Edited by Emma Bekrine

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Regular direct flights from Russia to several countries including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have officially resumed. Passengers will have to follow strict measures to minimise transmission of Covid-19.

A version of this article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on 31 March 2021.

Russia continues to gradually reopen its borders. Regular flights to the capitals of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from Moscow have officially resumed from 1 April 2021, as the Russian government announced on 25 March.

This further Russia’s gradual reopening to Central Asia. Weekly flights to and from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan officially resumed from 21 September 2020.  According to Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), during the pandemic airlines such as Tajikistan’s Somon Air have been operating charter flights to Russia instead of their regular service.

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The routes have been agreed on a reciprocal basis with the countries in question. Germany is also open to Russian travellers again, with flights between Frankfurt and Saint Petersburg three times a week and between Frankfurt and Moscow five times a week. In addition, the Russian government announced one flight a week from Russian international airports to the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

This marks the end of the 16 March 2020 government decision to temporarily ban foreign citizens from entering Russia to restrict the spread of Covid-19.

Health measures still in order

This partial reopening of Russia does not, however, translate into a relaxation of measures against the spread of the coronavirus. Foreign citizens wishing to travel to Russia must obtain a negative PCR test no earlier than 72 hours before the flight. Russian citizens returning to Russia are required to take the test within 72 hours of arrival.

Read more: Tajikistan’s tourism industry collapses in the wake of COVID

These sanitary measures have been in place since 7 July 2020 following a resolution by Russia’s chief sanitary doctor. In addition, the Russian government advises against travel wherever possible.

Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed Russia’s willingness to reopen its borders at his 2020 end-of-year press conference. “As soon as the doctors allow it, the borders will be opened immediately,” he said.

Mutual dependence

Concretely, this decision could be crucial for Central Asian states, who were hard hit by the coronavirus crisis and the shutdown of air traffic. Above all, the reopening of airspace allows migrants from Central Asia to travel to Russia for work again.

Read more: More Russian passports, fewer labour migrants: Central Asian migration to Russia in 2020

The pandemic has had important economic consequences for both Russia and most Central Asian states. The number of migrants to Russia has halved, greatly reducing the budgets of certain states such as Tajikistan, where the share of migrant transfers is around 30% of gross domestic product (GDP).

As Radio Ozodi, the Tajik branch of RFE/RL, notes, remittances to Tajikistan from migrants in 2020 fell by 741 million dollars (630 million euros) in one year.

Léonard Dillies

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