By Georgiy Voloshin (8/22/2012 issue of the CACI Analyst)

In late July, Kazakhstan’s capital hosted the sixth subcommittee meeting on trade and economic relations of the Kazakhstan-China Cooperation Committee. The Committee was established in May 2004 in order to deepen the bilateral relationship and reinforce the ever growing strategic partnership between Astana and Beijing. On this occasion, the deputy minister of external trade of the People’s Republic of China Jiang Yaopin, who headed the Chinese delegation, requested the Kazakh Government to simplify entry procedures for Chinese nationals who wish to work on Kazakhstan’s territory.

By Mina Muradova (8/22/2012 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Competition is increasing among pipeline projects aspiring to bring Caspian gas to the European market. According to BP Azerbaijan, the main partners in the development of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field, including BP, aim to participate in each pipeline project transporting gas to Europe: “That includes the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP and TAP/ Nabucco West,” according to a BP representative.

By Suhrob Majidov (8/22/2012 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Negotiations on the extended presence of the Russian military bases in Tajikistan are ongoing since September, 2011 and both sides term the negotiation process “long and complicated.” Russian senior military officials regularly make media statements blaming Tajikistan for delaying the negotiations and demanding unacceptable conditions for the new treaty. In return, Tajik senior governmental officials either refrain from public statements or highlight the strategic partnership between Russia and Tajikistan and the constructive dialogue between two countries.