Girodivite: Centro Studi Est Europa: synthetic overview of April 02, 2010

Centro Studi Est Europa: synthetic overview of April 02, 2010

Synthetic overview taken from the press releases we received today.

We look for collaborators and partners.

Please, write to: centrostudi.esteuropa@girodivite.it

Friday 2 April 2010, by Emanuele G. - 513 letture

Today news:

* Albanianews (Albania, Italy and Kosovo)

Islam e Occidente nel futuro degli albanesi

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 07:31 AM PDT

Si organizza a Lignano Sabbia d’Oro di Udine il terzo convegno della comunità islamica albanese presente in Italia che inizia sabato 3 aprile. Il tema dell’incontro sarà "Islam e Occidente nel futuro degli albanesi". Si tratta di una iniziativa che fa parte dell’impegno di promuovere e mantenere vive le tradizioni della comunità islamica albanese e balcanica da anni presente in Italia.

Gruppo italiano lancia Veneto Banca Albania

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 01:46 AM PDT

Il 25 marzo, al "Sheraton" di Tirana, si è svolta la cerimonia di lancio del nuovo nome della banca e la ufficializzazione di Veneto Banka Albania, parte del Gruppo Veneto Banca, uno dei 10 gruppi bancari più grandi d’Italia, costituita da banche italiane ed estere.

> For further information: www.albanianews.it

* Ambasciata d’Italia in Ungheria (Hungary and Italy)

Pubblichiamo in allegato il notiziario economico per il periodo 15 - 31 marzo 2010.

Si rammenta al riguardo che lo stesso potrá essere reperito anche sul sito di questa Ambasciata (www.ambbudapest.esteri.it), tra le News.

> For further information: commerciale.ambbudapest@esteri.it

* Armenian Center for National and International Studies (Armenia)

We publish on attached file the March 2010 newsletter of Armenian Center for National and International Studies.

> For further information: www.acnis.am

* Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (Bosnia and Balkans)

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Balkan Insight Daily No. 499, April 02, 2010

Balkan Insight n. 233

> For further information: www.birn.eu.com

* Balkans.com (Balkans)

Week in Review - Balkans.com Business News of April 02, 2010

> For further information: www.balkans.com

* Belarus News and Analysis (Belarus and Cis)

9 new articles posted on April 02, 2010

> For further information: www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews

* Camera di Commercio Italiana per la Romania (Romania and Italy)

Pubblichiamo in allegato la raccolta dei principali bandi di gara pubblicati in Romania nel periodo 20 marzo 2010 - 02 aprile 2010.

> For further information: www.cameradicommercio.ro

* Central Asian News Service (Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia)

Daily news report of April 02, 2010

> For further information: www.ca-news.org

* Civil Georgia (Georgia)

Daily news online of April 01, 2010

> For further information: www.civil.ge

* Economia.hu (Hungary)

Incubatore per Industrie Creative all’Università di Debrecen

Posted: 02 Apr 2010 03:58 AM PDT

L’Incubatore per le Industrie Creative dell’Università di Debrecen...

Aperto nuovo parco a tema, un villaggio medievale in Ungheria

Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:25 AM PDT

Inaugurato il primo Aprile il primo parco a tema ungherese del mondo, un suggestivo villaggio medievale completo di tutti gli edifici, i macchinari e I dettagli necessari a calarsi nell’atmosfera di un feudo. Élménybirtok, questo il nome della struttura turistica, è stato costruito nel Sud dell’Ungheria a Bikal, nella contea di Baranya, con un investimento di quasi 2 miliardi di fiorini. All’inaugurazione

Il marchio più forte in Ungheria: Turo Rudi batte Coca-Cola

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:40 PM PDT

Il marchio più forte in Ungheria? Secondo la classifica pubblicata dal settimanale ungherese di business Figyelő sarebbe quello del tipico snack Pöttyös Túró Rudi, il dolcetto a base di ricotta ricoperta di cioccolato. La ricerca, svolta da Braun&Partners con GfK Hungaria mette sul podio anche Coca-Cola e Danone. A seguire

> For further information: www.economia.hu

* Eurasianet.org (Usa, Caucasus and Central Asia)

EurasiaNet Weekly Update of April 02, 2010:

Central Asia

Tajikistan: Repercussions of Tajik-Uzbek Feud May Be Felt All the Way in Afghanistan BY KONSTANTIN PARSHIN

A feud between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan threatens to inflict serious damage to the already troubled Tajik economy, as well as cause disruptions to an important supply route used by US and NATO troops in Afghanistan.

Central Asia

Central Asia: UN Chief Tours Region To Discuss Cooperation, Environment BY JOSHUA KUCERA

Caucasus

Georgia: Tbilisi Wants EU Help for Fight with Russia Over Abkhazia Airport BY NINO PATSURIA

Caucasus

Armenia: Gays Live with Threats of Violence, Abuse BY MARIANNA GRIGORYAN

Central Asia

Kazakhstan: Imprisonment of Opposition Leader Revives Judicial System Concerns BY JOANNA LILLIS

Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek Officials Set to Expand Their Ability to Snoop on Citizens

Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan: Russian Press Bashing Bakiyev BY DAVID TRILLING

Central Asia

Turkmenistan: Ashgabat on Receiving End of Daimler Bribes — US Federal Court Documents

> For further information: www.eurasianet.org

* Interfax (Russia and Cis)

Interfax Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama April 02, 2010

Russia & CIS Banking and Finance Weekly April 02, 2010

Russia & CIS Business and Investment Weekly April 02, 2010

> For further information: www.interfax.com

* Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Lubiana (Slovenia and Italy)

Gentili signori / spoštovani,

in allegato il programma degli eventi dell’Istituto del mese di aprile. / v prilogi pošiljamo spored dogodkov Inštituta za mesec april.

L’Istituto augura a tutti una felice Pasqua! / Na Inštitutu vsem želimo vesele velikonočne praznike!

> For further information: www.iiclubiana.esteri.it

* Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mosca (Russia and Italy)

L’Istituto Italiano di Cultura invita la S.V.

il 7 aprile 2010 alle ore 12.00 presso l’Accademia Russa delle Arti (Mosca, ul.Precistenka, 21) alla masterclass del prof. Giancarlo Venuto

"La tecnica dell’affresco nella pittura romana antica e cenni storici sul suo percorso nei secoli fino al contemporaneo"

Invito in allegato

Итальянский Институт Культуры приглашает на мастер-класс

преподавателя живописи Академии художеств Брера (Милан) Джанкарло Венуто на тему: «Техника работы с фреской в древнеримскую эпоху и ее исторические знаки на пути от прошлого к настоящему»

7 апреля в 12.00 РОССИЙСКАЯ АКАДЕМИЯ ХУДОЖЕСТВ (улица Пречистенка, 21)

Приглашение прилагается

L’Istituto Italiano di Cultura invita la S.V. alla mostra di grafica di Giancarlo Venuto "Art&Wine"

il 6 aprile 2010 alle ore 11.00 presso la Casa Centrale degli Artisti (Mosca, Krymskij val, 10, Hall № 14b).

Seguira’ alle ore 17.00 nell’area № 1 una masterclass dell’artista sul tema "Comunicazione visiva: il vino e la sua immagine"

Nell’ambito della Fiera "Design and advertising 2010"

L’invito puo’ essere ritirato presso l’IIC all’indirizzo Maly Kozlovskij per., 4

Итальянский Институт Культуры приглашает на выставку графических работ Джанкарло Венуто "Art&Wine"

Открытие 6 апреля 2010 г. в 11.00 . Холл № 14b. в Центральном Доме Художника (Москва, Крымский Вал, 10)

6 апреля в 17.00 в зоне семинаров № 1 состоится мастер-класс художника на тему "Визуальная коммуникация: вино и его изображение" В рамках выставки «Дизайн и реклама 2010»

Приглашение можно получить в Итальянском Институте Культуры по адресу: Малый Козловский пер., 4

> For further information: biblioteca.iicmosca@esteri.it

* Latvian Centre for Human Rights (Latvia)

Newsletter of April 02, 2010

> For further information: www.humanrights.org.lv

* Memorial (Russia and Cis)

HRC Memorial Publications Now Available in English

Now you can find selected publications of Human Rights Center Memorial in English since 1994 on our new official web-site.

Please, visit http://www2.memo.ru/s/267.html

Chechen Republic: They Do Not Let Small Business Develop

On March 26, 2010 the members of the Shatoy district administration (Chechen Republic) closed a municipal market situated in the village of Borzoy (Shatoy district).

A the end of January 2010 administration staff made individual entrepreneurs move to the territory of the market that was not completely built. Entrepreneurs paid for the market place 50-100 thousand roubles. Under bad weather conditions sellers equipped their shops with the necessary facilities by themselves, some of them piped their workplaces, laid linoleum etc. Shops at the new market started working on February 1st, 2010.

On March 20, the members of the administration fixed the rental rate 500 roubles for the square meter. When people refused to pay it, they started being threatened with closure of the market.

The entrepreneurs appealed to different instances and to the President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov. As a result, money for the places at the market were returned to the sellers, the rental rate was reduced to 300 roubles, the light was switched on. However, the market did not resume working.

The village of Borzoy is situated in the mountains, far from the roads. There are few workplaces in the village, there are no big organizations or enterprises, where people can get a job. For many residents the market was the only source of income.

Sometimes sellers have to sell on credit because not everyone has money.

As sellers say, they will not be able to pay the fixed rental in consideration of the fact that they have to pay taxes and pay for housing and communal services.

The members of the Shatoy district administration report that they do not have money to asphalt the market’s court, lay on water supply and build a bathroom unit. To do all these they need to draw profit from the market.

On April 1, 2010 the conflict between the district administration and individual entrepreneurs has not been solved yet. The goods being held at the market rotted away. The owners are allowed to carry the products out but not allowed to sell them.

Village residents can not buy food, goods for children and even medicaments because the only drugstore in the village was situated at the territory of the market. To buy all these things they have to go to the district center Shatoy situated in 7 km from Borzoy. There are no buses and fixed-run taxis going from the village. People can get to the district center only on their private cars.

Sellers complain that the food has got spoilt, so their business’ suffer losses; rental rate (300 roubles for square meter) is too high; the administration made them move into the market that had not been completely built; after the entrepreneurs had equipped their shops with the necessary facilities the market was closed.

The entrepreneurs want the authorities to take into account these remarks and create conditions for business activity.

> For further information: www.memo.ru

* Ministero degli Esteri (Italy)

Pubblicato il n. 4 di marzo 2010 della newsletter Diplomazia Economica Italiana che può essere consultata al seguente link:

Leggi qui

> For further information: www.esteri.it

* The Moscow Times (Russia and Cis)

Business update of April 02, 2010

News summary update of April 02, 2010

> For further information: www.themoscowtimes.com

* Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (Italy, Balkans and Caucasus)

Newsletter settimanale Nr. 13/2010

Primo Piano

Periferia violenta

Mosca, 29 marzo. Due esplosioni colpiscono la metropolitana, il cuore battente della capitale russa, il mezzo che buona parte dei moscoviti utilizza quotidianamente per andare al lavoro, a studiare, a fare spese. 39 morti e molti feriti gravi.

In Russia terrorismo è sinonimo di Caucaso e la presenza di attentatrici suicide non lascia per il momento spazio ad altre piste di indagine. Le esplosioni nella metropolitana di Mosca hanno ricordato tragicamente agli abitanti della capitale che i problemi del Caucaso non riguardano solo remote regioni nel sud della Russia ma possono coinvolgerli direttamente.

Due giorni dopo, nel Daghestan, un duplice attentato ha lasciato sul terreno dodici morti e almeno 23 feriti. Se a Mosca gli attentati sono fortunatamente un’eccezione non è lo stesso per il Caucaso del Nord dove nel corso del solo 2009 scontri e attentati hanno causato 892 morti. Il terrorismo, la Russia, la democrazia: un nostro speciale.

Notizie

Troppo tardi, troppo presto Petra Tadić

Dopo 13 ore di acceso dibattito il parlamento serbo approva con 127 voti a favore su 250 una dichiarazione di condanna per il massacro di Srebrenica. Scuse alle famiglie delle vittime, non vi compare la parola genocidio. Un commento

Il coraggio di Klodi Marjola Rukaj

"Sono gay". Due parole rivoluzionarie se dette in pubblico in Albania. Protagonista uno dei partecipanti al Grande Fratello albanese. E nel paese si è scatenato un dibattito ai limiti del linciaggio. Nonostante una recente legge approvata dal parlamento per garantire i diritti delle minoranze sessuali

Le nebbie del Caucaso Giorgio Comai

Le repubbliche del Caucaso del nord oggi, la lotta delle autorità governative con le formazioni ribelli, questioni irrisolte e speranze di pace e sviluppo. Un’intervista a Timur Akiev, direttore di Memorial Inguscezia

Una notizia buona e una cattiva Mihaela Iordache

L’aeronautica romena dismette i vecchi MIG-21 sovietici. Per modernizzarsi, compra da Washington 24 caccia F-16 di seconda mano, con l’obiettivo di accedere poi ai modelli più avanzati americani. Una scelta che fa discutere per mancanza di gara d’appalto e costi aggiuntivi

Panni sporchi Drago Hedl

Martedì 30 marzo è stato arrestato l’ex vice premier croato Damir Polančec, con l’accusa di corruzione e abuso d’ufficio. La vicinanza tra Polančec e l’ex premier Sanader lascia pensare che quest’ultimo potrebbe trovarsi presto nella stessa situazione

La lotta della Tekel Alberto Tetta

I lavoratori degli ex monopoli di Stato turchi guidano mobilitazioni sempre più forti contro la politica ultra-liberista del governo Erdoğan. L’analisi dei rappresentanti sindacali, la solidarietà della popolazione di Ankara con i lavoratori

Attentati in metropolitana Giorgio Comai

Le esplosioni avvenute nella mattina del 29 marzo nella metropolitana di Mosca hanno ricordato tragicamente agli abitanti della capitale che i problemi del Caucaso non riguardano solo remote regioni nel sud della Russia ma possono coinvolgerli direttamente

Il calore della terra Cecilia Ferrara

Una risorsa d’energia pulita, ma che deve saper essere sfruttata. E’ il geotermico, di cui è ricca la Serbia. Ora una collaborazione tra un consorzio di comuni toscani e gli enti locali in Serbia può fare la differenza

La Serbia e i suoi vicini Danijela Nenadić

La mancata partecipazione alla conferenza regionale in Slovenia, il nodo del Kosovo, il caso Ganić con la Bosnia, le accuse di non far nulla contro la criminalità organizzata rivolte al Montenegro. La Serbia non ha rapporti facili coi vicini. Ma l’incontro tra il presidente serbo e quello croato fa ben sperare per il futuro

Le gioie della zia Luciano Panella

Una serie di brani degli anni ’60 e ’70 jugoslavi reinterpretati in chiave contemporanea. Gli autori sono Dj Bakto, Woo-d e Borka, tre dj sloveni attivi da tempo nel campo della musica elettronica, dell’hiphop e del drum’n bass

I confini non sono per sempre Francisco Martinez

Il difficile dialogo con il governo di Tbilisi, i rapporti con l’Europa e la Russia, le prospettive di sviluppo di un territorio la cui indipendenza non ha ottenuto ampio riconoscimento internazionale. Un’intervista con Maxim Gvinjia, de facto ministro degli Esteri dell’Abkhazia

Appuntamenti

La crisi silenziosa del Caucaso

Quinto appuntamento nell’ambito di "Oltre i conflitti: incontri con esperti su Balcani, Caucaso, Africa, Medio Oriente" AREZZO, 12 aprile

Focus Balcani

Focus formazione nell’ambito del secondo appuntamento delle azioni di continuità del progetto "FORUMED" PESCARA, 8 aprile

Qui fu la guerra

Proiezione dei documentari "Do you remember Sarajevo? - Sjećaš li se Sarajeva?" di N. e S. Kresevljaković e "Il cerchio del ricordo" di Andrea Rossini. Primo appuntamento nell’ambito di "VideoBalkans", ciclo di film-documentari sulla Bosnia Erzegovina "al di là della guerra" BOLZANO, 7 aprile

Opportunità

OBC cerca redattrice/redattore cooperazione

C’è tempo fino al 18 aprile 2010 per partecipare alla selezione avviata da Osservatorio per un posto di redattrice/redattore esperta/o nel campo della cooperazione con il sud-est Europa.

Il luogo di lavoro è Rovereto (TN), con disponibilità a trasferte, anche all’estero, e il contratto è full time con inizio il prima possibile e conclusione il 31 dicembre 2012.

Sono indispensabili le seguenti caratteristiche: competenza sui temi della cooperazione allo sviluppo, della cooperazione decentrata e delle politiche italiane ed europee rilevanti per il settore; competenza specifica sul sud-est europeo; esperienza di studio e/o lavoro nella regione, complessivamente non inferiore a 3 anni; attività pregressa e documentata di stesura/redazione/editing di testi scientifici e/o divulgativi; ottima conoscenza della lingua inglese e buona conoscenza di una delle principali lingue del sud-est Europa.

L’interessata/o dovrà spedire una lettera motivazionale e il proprio CV all’indirizzo segreteria@balcanicaucaso.org. Non verranno prese in considerazione candidature che non corrispondano ai requisiti minimi indicati nel mansionario allegato.

Mansionario redattore cooperazione

> For further information: www.balcanicaucaso.org

* The Presidency of Russian Federation (Russia and Cis)

Daily news report of April 02, 2010

> For further information: http://president.kremlin.ru/eng

* Sarke (Georgia)

News in brief of April 01, 2010

> For further information: www.sarke.com

* Seenews (Bulgaria and Balkans)

Daily news report of Albania (April 02, 2010)

Read and click ALBANIA on menu bar

Daily news report of Bosnia-Herzegovina (April 02, 2010)

Read and click BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA on menu bar

Daily news report of Bulgaria (April 02, 2010)

Read and click BULGARIA on menu bar

Daily news report of Croatia (April 02, 2010)

Read and click CROATIA on menu bar

Daily news report of Macedonia (April 02, 2010)

Read and click MACEDONIA on menu bar

Daily news report of Moldova (April 02, 2010)

Read and click MOLDOVA on menu bar

Daily news report of Montenegro (April 02, 2010)

Read and click MONTENEGRO on menu bar

Daily news report of Romania (April 02, 2010)

Read and click ROMANIA on menu bar

Daily news report of Serbia (April 02, 2010)

Read and click SERBIA on menu bar

Daily news report of Slovenia (April 02, 2010)

Read and click SLOVENIA on menu bar

> For further information: www.seenews.com

* The Times of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia)

Free Newsletter - April 3, 2010

In this issue:

1.POINT OF VIEW: A new Silk Road in the making

2.Afghanistan, China forge closer economic ties

3.Freight delays by Uzbekistan affect Tajikistan’s economy

4.Uzbek cement mixed with politics

1. POINT OF VIEW: A new Silk Road in the making (Central Asia, April 3, 2010-issue 610) By Giorgio Fiacconi TCA publisher

BISHKEK (TCA) — For as long as we can recall, traffic between western countries and China and the Far East has been going via land.

Accounts of European traveller to the Middle Kingdom from the fifteenth century onward only describe land routes. One of the most famous books documenting the travels of Marco Polo, “Il Milione” describes Polo’s adventurous expedition, but many other reports preceded and followed in the search for the best route to China and its goods. Even Chinese chronicles gave accounts of Chinese expansion and travels westward via land. Only in the fourteenth century did the west start exploiting southern sea routes. Today, most traffic between the West and China is along sea routes, but land routes are still the most economic and would be the fastest if only the infrastructure were in place and if the numerous countries which the Silk Road covers would consider the issue with a proper medium-term vision and economic consideration. In the present condition, although transport by train is increasing, proper modernization has not occurred. This is a strange situation since trains remain the most convenient and safest method of transporting goods, especially in winter time when it is the most preferable option as road conditions can be very dangerous. Today it is possible to send goods by train from any part of Central Europe to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in approximately 25 days. The cost of utilizing the railroads are high due to the fact that the gauge of the tracks are different in European and Russian countries, as well as the fact that the system is not used as frequently as it ought to be. It is time that European export to Central Asia and China rediscover the train, giving a new impetus to the existing free economic zone of Kyrgyzstan for access to China, and other Central Asia countries. It took Chinese leadership to develop a new plan where East and West can be joined in a unique modern railway that will surpass the Trans-Siberian Railroad in term of facilities, speed and cargo capacity with high speed trains and a unique narrower track matching European standards. From China to Europe and vice versa few routes have been considered. Those through Central Asia will start in Urumchi and Kashgar in Xingjian Province and will travel through both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. From there, both routes via Central Asia will move into Eastern Europe. Today the Korgas- Urumchi line is already complete, and the next logical step is on to Astana and Almaty. Through a separate branch, the train will connect the West with the extensive Chinese railway system as well as the Far East. The other railway departing from Kashgar and crossing through Kyrgyzstan will pass through Uzbekistan and continue on to Turkmenistan, ultimately ending in Europe. In the meantime, another railway is being considered in Southeast Asia via Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, reaching all the way to Singapore. Furthermore, Beijing already has trains that take passengers and cargo to the Far East, and with a new lease agreement with the deep sea port of Rajin in North Korea, China is now able to transport not only goods, but passengers as well from any part of Europe to the Sea of Japan in less than one week, making the passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific a very cost-efficient alternative all year round. The plan is certainly ambitious but it is feasible, and probably within ten years time we will have high speed trains travelling from Southeast Asia and the Far East using railroads to cross through Central Asia with a huge saving in terms of money, less restrictions and a speed unthinkable at today methods of transport. The project is not just another proposal; the Chinese have been working on this plan for a few years and they have the know-how, the work force and the money to implement the plan. Last but not least, they are very familiar with how to deal with the regimes of Central Asia, having shown that they can work with them and can handle the local situation with very few questions asked. The strategy is clear and follows a well planned rationale with the railroad achieving different purposes. From the economic side, the project will guarantee to China additional access to Central Asian resources, while lowering transport costs for the export of goods from China to Central Asia and Europe. From the other side, the project also has a very clear military justification and will keep transport of goods away from the maritime routes where it is well known that American fleets closely monitor all shipments. Regarding financing, while some countries will finance the stretch that is crossing their land, China is proposing a type of barter that is difficult to refuse. Against Chinese advance payment for the construction and the supply of trains, China guarantees the purchase of various raw materials and energy products. The formula, although not very transparent, provides the country which the tracks cross with guaranteed development and a ready buyer for those resources along the route, which thanks to the new railway, become readily accessible. All this makes sense but will certainly generate new geo-political competition between the US, Russia and China. Hopefully, confrontation will be avoided as it is clear that China’s presence in Central Asia, through such an extensive network of railways, will allow it to challenge not only Russian strategic interests but also those of the United States.

2. Afghanistan, China forge closer economic ties (Central Asia, April 3, 2010-issue 610)

BEIJING (TCA) — On March 25, Afghan President Hamid Karzai finished a three-day visit to Beijing, China. Karzai arrived in China on March 23 with a government delegation that included the Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasoul, National Security Advisor Dr. Spanta, Defense Minister Wardak, Mining Minister Shahrani and about twenty national traders and investors. It was Karzai’s fourth visit to China as President of Afghanistan.

China and Afghanistan took new steps to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation as new agreements were signed regarding aid, tax reduction, training and stabilizing the volatile region. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Hamid Karzai signed three documents on economic and technological cooperation, favorable tariffs for Afghan exports to China and training programs. The two presidents also discussed economic cooperation in mining, agriculture, hydroelectricity, irrigation, and infrastructure projects. During the meeting with Hu, Karzai said Afghanistan was honored to have China as a friend and neighbor. China’s economic assistance to Afghanistan dates back to the mid 1950s when the two countries established diplomatic ties. Chinese engineers built a number of hospitals and water conservancy projects around the Central Asian country. The most well-known project is a large dam about 40 kilometers outside of Kabul. Since 2002, China has given more than 900 million yuan ($130 million) in aid for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. Last year, China announced it would provide an additional $75 million in aid to Afghanistan over the next five years. Mutual trade between the two countries has been growing rapidly in recent years, reaching $155 million in 2008. Since July 2006, China introduced zero import tariffs on 278 products from Afghanistan. China Metallurgical Group Corp. has invested in the Aynak copper mine in Afghanistan. Implementation of this project helped create jobs for thousands of local people. During the meeting with President Hu, Karzai expressed gratitude to China for the support and encouragement that it has given Afghanistan since the establishment of diplomatic ties, in particular over the last eight years. Chinese media quoted Karzai as saying his country was willing to cooperate with China in advancing peace and stability. On the afternoon of March 25, Karzai met with top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao. Karzai said his country hoped to further expand cooperation with China in politics, trade, defense and education, as well as to enhance coordination on regional and global issues. Wu, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said that China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports the country’s efforts for national stability and development. Hailing the progress of bilateral ties, Wu said China hoped to push forward a cooperative partnership with the country and hoped the two countries would remain good neighbors, good friends and good partners forever. Wu appreciated Afghanistan’s support for China on the Taiwan issue and issues regarding Tibet and Xinjiang. Karzai said currently Afghan-Chinese relations are at the best in history, adding that his country is committed to strengthening neighborly ties with China. During the meeting with Karzai, Premier Wen said that China would continuously provide assistance and aid to Afghanistan and pledged to enhance security and economic cooperation. “China will step up contact and coordination with Afghanistan and the international society to strive for a secure and harmonious regional environment while pushing for lasting peace and common development,” Wen concluded. The two sides also agreed to expand economic cooperation and trade, increase mutual investment and technology transfer, and deepen cooperation in the areas of transportation, agriculture and irrigation, energy, mining and infrastructure. (Xinhua, RFE/RL)

3. Freight delays by Uzbekistan affect Tajikistan’s economy (Tajikistan, April 3, 2010-issue 610) By Rakhim Nazarov

DUSHANBE (TCA) — Last week, the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to Uzbek authorities concerning the delay of freight shipments in Uzbekistan. The note requested assistance in resolving the issue. According to the Tajik Railway national enterprise, about one thousand freight cars with different types of goods vital to Tajik and Afghan economic development have been delayed in Uzbekistan over the last two months.

Railcars carry such goods as aluminum used by the Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco), bulldozers needed to build the Rogun hydropower plant, and fuel and lubricants for agricultural purposes. This is not the first time that goods traveling to Tajikistan have been detained in Uzbekistan without explanation. At the end of last year, several hundred railcars were detained in Uzbekistan. Tajik businessmen who were owners of the freight petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the issue. Last week, Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov raised this issue at a UN meeting. Dushanbe is concerned that Uzbekistan is purposely impeding rail shipments to Tajikistan. As a result, Tajikistan does not receive aviation fuel and raw materials for the aluminum plant in a timely manner. Tajik experts believe that the freight delays in Uzbekistan are related to the growing pace of the Rogun hydro power plant’s construction in Tajikistan and note that such actions by their neighbor aim to slow down Tajikistan’s development. Rauf Firdavsov, Tajik political analyst, believes that the delay of freight, part of which are vital to the construction of Rogun, is intentional and connected with said construction. Tashkent is concerned with the fact that the launch of the power plant will disrupt water flow in the Amudarya River leaving Uzbek land without water during the irrigation season. However, throughout its entire history, Tajikistan has never considered or used water as a means of pressure on neighboring countries. In spite of all obstacles, Tajik authorities have not stopped the Rogun project, which is of strategic importance to Tajikistan. Experts note that freight delays also negatively affect sowing campaigns in Tajikistan. The country has launched a campaign for planting cotton. According to preliminary info, 183,400 hectares of land have been allocated this year for planting cotton. Cotton is one of the most important crops, ranking second in the list of Tajik exports. In 2009, 296,000 tons of cotton was harvested in Tajikistan instead of the planned 350,000 tons. In 2009, the export of cotton fiber totaled 86,600 tons worth $99.7 million. If fuel cargo is detained in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan’s agriculture will have even more problems, since over 70 percent of Tajikistan’s seven million people live in rural areas. P.S. Some of an estimated 1,000 freight cars held up for several weeks on Uzbek territory have now arrived in Tajikistan, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports. Tajik railway officials said around 150 of the railcars were now in the country, but the Foreign Ministry said hundreds more were still being held up on Uzbek territory. Uzbekistan has blamed technical problems, along with bad weather and an increase in freight traffic. On this last point, the Uzbek Embassy in Dushanbe said on March 26 that Uzbekistan was fulfilling "its obligations under international agreements on ensuring the passage of nonmilitary and humanitarian goods to Afghanistan".

Tajikistan considers railroad link to bypass Uzbekistan The Tajik government has suggested building a railroad link through Afghanistan to avoid the delays in rail cargo bound for Tajikistan via Uzbekistan, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports. Tajik Transportation Minister Olim Boboev told RFE/RL that Tajikistan could build a 250-kilometer rail link connecting Tajikistan with Turkmenistan via northern Afghanistan, a route that would avoid Uzbekistan. Shodi Shabdolov, the head of Tajikistan’s Communist Party and a member of the lower house of parliament, said a railroad linking Tajikistan and Turkmenistan via Afghanistan is feasible and could be completed within a few months. But Tajik economist Hojimuhammad Umarov said that freight transit via Uzbekistan will remain crucial even if alternative links via Afghanistan or China are built. He pointed out that Tajikistan cannot afford to build such a railroad in the next five or six years. Umarov says Tajikistan should seek a compromise with Uzbekistan.

4. Uzbek cement mixed with politics (Uzbekistan, April 3, 2010-issue 610) By Dilshod Ashurmatov

TASHKENT (TCA) — Uzbek cement producers are looking forward to becoming the largest cement exporters in Central Asia. However, this goal might be impossible due to not certain economic factors but purely political relations between Tashkent and neighboring countries.

At the UzBuild-2010 International Exhibition that took place in Tashkent in early March, representatives of the Uzbek construction industry spoke about the introduction of new cement producing facilities. According to the Uzstroimateriali (Uzbek Construction Materials) company, three cement plants with a total capacity of 2.36 million tons worth approximately $290 million are under construction in Uzbekistan with the support of foreign investors. Two new plants with a total capacity of 3.7 million tons, worth over $500 million, are also in the planning stages. These would allow the increase of cement production by 2013 to ten million tons. Also, after modernization of existing facilities, the total cement production capacity may increase to 16 million tons. By 2012, the annual demand for cement in Uzbekistan is expected to be 12 million tons, which is almost twice the current total capacity (7 million tons). Uzbek cement plants already work at over 90 percent of their capacity. “If in 2009 we still were able to satisfy the market’s needs, in the next two years it will be difficult to avoid shortages in cement without increasing the plants’ capacities,” stated Akbar Mukhiddinov, head of Analysis and Development Department at Uzstroimateriali. Low prices of gas, raw materials and electricity make the Uzbek cement business highly profitable. The government decided to help maintain profitability in difficult times by introducing an 8 percent limit on price increase for electricity and other utilities over the next two years.

In the short term, the cement industry hopes for a revival in domestic demand for cement. At the beginning of this year, the government adopted a national program to support and reform villages, directing about $200 million to housing and infrastructure. According to local experts, it will help the already running cement projects, which are to be implemented in 2010. A large stake in the production increase is placed on neighboring countries. By 2016, cement exports from Uzbekistan will be increased by almost 40 percent (to 4 million tons). However, most experts believe that this goal might be impossible to achieve, not due to the global financial crisis or domestic economic factors (taxes, poor infrastructure), but rather due to souring political relations between Tashkent and its neighbors. Erkin Akramov, Uzstroimateriali chairman, commented on the cement plant projects, stating that cement consumption in Central Asia by 2012 will reach 34 million tons whereas existing capacity stands at 18.5 million tons. With the expected cement shortages, Uzbekistan’s facilities producing almost half of the cement in Central Asia are considered by investors a key to the regional market. Significant consolidation of Uzbek cement assets and their incorporation into integrated holdings took place in 2006. Russia’s Eurocement Group bought 76 percent of Akhangarancement (the second largest cement plant in Uzbekistan according to its production capacity) from local investors. Then, Caspian Resources (Kazakhstan) acquired a controlling stake in two other Uzbek enterprises – Bekabadcement and Kuvasaicement. Only the country’s largest cement producer – Kyzylkumcement – is owned by the Uzbek government. The acquisition of cement plants is a clear demonstration of the high level of competition for the Central Asian market.

No cement for hydro plants Uzbek cement is attractive because of easy access to the markets of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which could face cement deficit of around three million tons per year by 2013. While the Kazakhs talk about their plans to build new facilities (around 26.5 million ton capacity) in not-too-distant future, the Tajiks and Kyrgyz can still only dream of such a venture. However, political ambitions and long-standing disputes between neighbors are involved. Stumbling blocks for the Uzbek cement industry are plans by Bishkek and Dushanbe to build the Kambarata and Rogun hydropower plants (HPPs). “Now, political arguments outweigh economic expectations,” said Dilmurad Kholmatov, an expert. “Hydro-power facilities that should have become major consumers of Uzbek cement have actually closed Uzbek cement’s access to the markets of these countries.”

According to a representative of one Uzbek cement plant who wished to remain anonymous, Tashkent gave implicit orders prohibiting the supply of Uzbek cement to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as such cement would be used in the building of those HPPs. Earlier this year, the Uzbek government approved a decree under which fully planned cement exports of 1.3 million tons in 2010 would be sold through the government-run Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange. Thus, a ban was introduced to export cement under direct contracts. Afghanistan Under these circumstances, Uzbekistan places a major stake in the development of cement export opportunities to Afghanistan. Tashkent has always been a key partner in resolving the Afghan issue.

In the last two years, the Afghan economy imported around two million tons of cement, mainly from Pakistan. The Uzbeks provided only about 200,000 tons in 2009. With a projected increase of this total to three million tons by 2012, Afghanistan is expected to be one of the main cement importers in the region. However, according to experts, political factor may affect the situation as well. “In spite of the common border, Uzbekistan almost never works with Afghan companies directly,” said Ilkhat Tushev, an analyst at Central Asia Investments. “And if there is an intermediary, the price is higher, not too mention the dependency placed upon it.”

Now the West is considering Uzbekistan an important member in solving the Afghan issue. In order to deliver aid, Afghanistan needs a well-developed infrastructure, and it is possible to find money to develop this infrastructure. However, these issues will depend on political relations which sometimes stand apart from economic factors.

> For further information: www.timesca.com

* Transitions Online (Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia)

New at Transitions Online - April 02, 2010