Energy and Economy 

French Nuclear Company, Framatome, Joins Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Power Development Effort 

French nuclear technology company, Framatome, will participate in projects supporting the construction and operation of nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan, focusing on advanced automated control systems for nuclear facilities. The announcement followed a March 9 meeting between Uzatom and Framatome. Discussions centered on deploying modern process-control technologies, as well as opportunities for technology transfer and cooperation to enhance nuclear safety and reliability. Framatome’s experience with Rosatom on Paks II Nuclear Power Plant and El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant projects positions the company as a key partner as Uzbekistan advances its nuclear energy ambitions. Additionally, on March 10 at an international nuclear energy summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron named Uzbekistan among the countries that could help Europe diversify its uranium supply as the region seeks to reduce dependence on a limited number of suppliers. 

Source: Kun.uz; Kun.uz 

Kazakhstan and U.S. Firm Advance $1.1 Billion Mining Investment in Karagandy 

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction, Yersaiyn Nagaspayev, met with Dominic Heaton, CEO of Cove Kaz Capital Group, to discuss a $1.1 billion mining investment project in the Karagandy region. The project will develop the North Katpar and Upper Kairakty deposits and follows a November 2025 agreement between Tau-Ken Samruk and Cove Capital to construct two enrichment plants and a metallurgical facility. Once operational, the project is expected to create about 1,000 jobs, prioritizing local employment. A key condition of the initiative is a ban on exporting raw materials, with production focused on deep processing to strengthen higher value-added metallurgy in Kazakhstan. 

Source: The Astana Times 

Uzbekistan Announces Development of New Copper Processing Plant 

The processing plant will be supported with an investment of $2.7 billion and will boost daily outputs of processed copper from 2,400 to 5,000 tons at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex. Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that the new facility marks the third of its kind in Almalyk, with plans for a fourth facility in place as well. Uzbekistan aims to reach an annual output of 500,000 tons of copper by 2030.  

Source: UZ Daily, Caspian Post 

President Trump Temporarily Lifts Sanctions on Russian Oil 

In the aftermath of U.S.–Israel military strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump announced on March 13 that sanctions on Russian oil would be temporarily lifted in an effort to stabilize oil prices. As the war in Iran continues, Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, leading to soaring global oil prices. Lifting sanctions on Russian oil, which were originally imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is part of Trump’s plan to ease the impact of higher prices, along with the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The move has drawn criticism from leaders in the European Union, who fear the benefits Russia could reap as it seeks to finance its war against Ukraine through oil sales. 

Sources: NBC News, U.S. Department of Energy 

Kazakhstan Ratifies Trilateral Green Energy Corridor with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan 

Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament ratified a strategic agreement with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to develop a regional green energy corridor aimed at expanding renewable electricity trade and exports to Europe. The agreement, presented by Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov and originally signed in Baku in November 2024, envisions transmitting renewable power via a subsea cable across the Caspian Sea. Financing for the project’s feasibility study is being supported by the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, with consulting firm CESI selected to prepare the study. If completed, the corridor could enable Kazakhstan to export renewable electricity directly to the European Union through future connections across the Black Sea. 

Source: The Astana Times 

Azerbaijan’s Pipeline Gas Exports Reach 25 billion cubic meters in 2025 

During a plenary session of Azerbaijan’s National Assembly (Milli Majlis), Prime Minister Ali Asadov announced that the country’s natural gas exports via pipelines reached 25.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2025. He also highlighted the expanding geography of Azerbaijan’s gas exports, noting that Azerbaijani gas reached Syria for the first time in 2025, while deliveries to Germany and Austria further expanded its presence in the European market. In total, Azerbaijan now supplies pipeline gas to 16 countries. 

Source: Vestnik Kavkaza 

Politics and Security 

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Visit China 

The former President of Turkmenistan and current Chairman of the People’s Council will visit China March 17-19. Berdimuhamedov last met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023, although Xi has frequently met with current Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of larger forums. 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China 

Kazakhstan Votes in Favor of Adopting New Constitution 

The Central Election Commission in Astana announced that 87.15% of voters in Kazakhstan supported changing the constitution, with a voter turnout of 73.12%. The amendments will allow the president to appoint a vice president, a position that was abolished in 1996. Some experts have voiced concern that the changes could intensify power competition, but Kazakhstan’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who spearheaded the referendum, has denied that there is any cause for concern. 

Source: Reuters 

New Text of Armenian Constitution Drafted 

The Armenian Ministry of Justice announced that the draft of the new constitution is ready for discussion by the ruling Civil Contract Party. The ministry also stated that it will publish the draft “as soon as possible.” The new constitution will be voted on through a special referendum that will not be held simultaneously with the parliamentary elections this year  in June. Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, added that the new constitution should omit the Declaration of Independence, which he claimed “is structured around a logic of conflict.” 

Source: Armenpress, Vestnik Kavkaza 

European Council President Visits Azerbaijan, Reinforces Energy and Security Cooperation 

On March 11, President of the European Council António Costa visited Baku, Azerbaijan. At the press conference following his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, Costa expressed the European Union’s “full solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan,” following Iran’s March 5 attack on Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhchivan. Costa emphasized that Brussels and Baku are working on a new cooperation framework to expand their partnership beyond energy, with deeper collaboration envisioned in security, defense, digital development, and transport. He noted that Azerbaijan, particularly through the Southern Gas Corridor, has been central to the European Union’s efforts to diversify energy supplies. Amid disruptions in global markets following the war in Iran, he described the partnership as “more important than ever,” adding that the EU is prepared to mobilize private investment to support Azerbaijan’s energy transition and encourage greater participation by European clean-tech companies.  

Source: Euronews, Anewz