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Rubio Visits NATO Allies Amid Russian Concerns and Middle East Conflict
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Iceland, Greece, and Portugal from October 5-8 to discuss security, defense, energy, economic cooperation, and technology. The trip addresses growing concerns over Russian military activity and the Middle East conflict, with discussions focusing on Arctic security, regional stability, and defense partnerships.
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Tajikistan Begins Importing Iranian Oil, Testing New Supply Route and US Sanctions
Tajikistan has announced it is now importing oil and petroleum products from Iran, opening a new energy source for a country long dominated by Russian supply. The move raises questions about potential secondary US sanctions for countries doing business with Iran, as Washington tightens pressure on Tehran's oil revenues. The US Treasury stated that entities involved in Iran's oil sector face increasing risk.
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Kyrgyzstan closes 16 companies to mitigate sanctions circumvention risks
Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Economy and Commerce has terminated the operations of 16 companies to reduce the risk of circumventing international sanctions. An analysis of approximately 40 companies led to this decision, with case materials forwarded to judicial bodies. Two state banks have also closed accounts for numerous enterprises. Kyrgyzstan is developing a mechanism to identify high-risk entities.
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CIS Leaders Summit to Convene in Turkmenistan's Avaza Resort
The upcoming CIS summit, scheduled for October 9th in the Avaza tourist zone of Turkmenistan, will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin had previously confirmed his participation in the Council of Heads of State meeting.
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Iranian President to Attend CIS Heads of State Summit in Turkmenistan
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit Turkmenistan in the coming days to attend the CIS summit as a special guest on October 8th. He will also participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
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Turkmenistan Security Council Discusses Nine-Month Performance and Military Development
President Serdar Berdimuhamedow chaired a Security Council meeting reviewing the performance of military and law enforcement agencies for the first nine months of the year. Discussions focused on enhancing security, stability, and the material-technical base of these institutions.
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Latvia Considers Suspending Visas for Uzbek Citizens Amid Crime Concerns
Latvia's Interior Ministry has proposed temporarily suspending visa issuance for Uzbek citizens, citing alleged crimes committed by individuals after arrival, including against minors. The ministry seeks to use this period for enhanced information exchange and checks with Uzbekistan. Lithuania previously halted work visa applications from Central Asian countries due to a surge in applications.
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Almaty Court Sentences Ecologist Olzhas Duisenov to 7.5 Years in Prison
An Almaty court has sentenced ecologist Olzhas Duisenov to 7.5 years in prison for embezzlement. Duisenov, who denied all charges, was found guilty of misappropriating property. He was initially accused of corporate raiding and embezzling World Bank grant funds. He was arrested in February last year and has been in custody since.
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Five Wildberries Representatives Join Management of Uzbekistan's National Postal Operator
Shareholders of Uzbekistan's national postal operator, UzPost, have elected a new supervisory board with five members linked to Wildberries & Russ. Wildberries stated their aim is to modernize the postal service and improve efficiency, potentially boosting e-commerce in Uzbekistan.
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Turkmenistan Cabinet Meeting Reviews Nine-Month Performance, Approves Legislation
President Serdar Berdimuhamedow chaired a virtual Cabinet meeting reviewing the country's performance for the first nine months of the year. The Parliament Speaker reported on legislative activities, including the adoption of eight laws and 14 resolutions. New laws and amendments were approved concerning various sectors, including industrial safety, financial reporting, environmental protection, and migration policy.
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Afghan refugees in Qatar camp face uncertainty as US entry ban continues
Afghan refugees in Qatar's As-Saileyah camp will remain for another nine months beyond the original closure date. Approximately 1,100 Afghans face an uncertain future due to a US ban on immigration applications from Afghanistan, implemented by presidential order. The camp, previously a US military base, was scheduled to close on September 30.
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Ashgabat School Teacher Reports Bribery and Extortion Demands for Employment and Workload
A teacher in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, has detailed systemic corruption within the school system. New graduates reportedly pay bribes of 2,000 manats to secure teaching positions. An additional 2,000 manats may be required for adequate teaching hours and salary. Teachers also face pressure to pay for favorable class schedules and contribute to unofficial collections for inspections.
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Investment forum held in Ashgabat
An investment forum organized by Turkmenistan's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance and Economy has commenced in Ashgabat. The event gathers representatives from state organizations, international financial institutions, and leading companies. The forum aims to enhance investment activity, aligning with national development programs and Turkmenistan's stable economic policies.
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Production Sharing Agreement with Dragon Oil Extended to 2035
The production sharing agreement for the 'Cheleken' contract area has been extended until 2035, according to Turkmenistan.gov.tm. This agreement facilitates continued exploration and production in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, covering the Jeytun and Jygalybeg offshore fields. Dragon Oil has operated in Turkmenistan since 2000.
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Turkmen Blogger on Interpol List, Highlights State Persecution of Critics Abroad
Turkmen blogger Nurmuhammet Annayev, seeking asylum in the Netherlands, is on a Turkmen wanted list for political reasons. Journalists from turkmen.news and OCCRP studied the list, revealing Turkmenistan's efforts to pursue critics abroad. Annayev fears for his safety, citing the state's willingness to eliminate opposition.
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Azerbaijani army chief meets Turkmen military delegation at defense exhibition
The Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani army met with a military delegation from Turkmenistan participating in the ADEX-2026 defense exhibition in Baku. Both sides emphasized the importance of developing ties between military structures of Turkic-speaking countries.
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CIS Foreign Ministers to Meet in Turkmenistan's Avaza Resort
The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States will convene on October 7 in Turkmenistan's Avaza tourist zone. Ministers will review the CIS's annual performance and discuss future cooperation, with a special focus on the CIS's 35th anniversary in 2026. They will also approve next year's consultation plan and set the date for the subsequent meeting.
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Turkmenistan Investment Forum Aims to Boost Economic Development and Innovation
The Turkmenistan Investment Forum, held in Ashgabat, aims to foster economic diversification and attract investment. The event focuses on increasing industrial capacity, implementing modern digital and green economy concepts, and strengthening international cooperation. It is expected to positively impact regional industrialization and sustainable development.
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Turkmenistan President Congratulates Chinese Leadership on National Day
President Serdar Berdimuhamedow extended congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on the anniversary of the People's Republic of China. He emphasized Turkmenistan's high regard for China's development model and its contributions to global cooperation. The leaders affirmed strong bilateral ties in trade, energy, transport, and cultural exchange.
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Turkmenistan launches electronic visas and online registration for foreigners
Turkmenistan has simplified entry and stay procedures for foreign citizens starting October 1. The State Migration Service has introduced two digital services: an electronic visa system and an online registration portal, allowing applications via the internet.
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Turkmenistan Marks 35th Independence Anniversary with Achievements and Progress
Turkmenistan celebrated its 35th Independence Day with significant achievements across all sectors. Under President Serdar Berdimuhamedow's leadership, the nation continues to strengthen its economic power and international standing. The celebrations included a ceremony at the Independence Monument and a military parade showcasing modern equipment and traditions.
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Turkmenistan Military Universities Enroll Only One-Third of Planned First-Year Students
Military and Naval Institutes in Turkmenistan face a significant enrollment shortfall, admitting only about a third of their planned first-year students, despite free tuition. Extensive recruitment efforts, including visiting military units and schools, failed to meet targets. Even with additional costs, military education remains financially advantageous compared to civilian institutions.
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Turkmen youth seek education abroad, facing currency conversion hurdles
Turkmen graduates increasingly pursue higher education abroad, with Uzbekistan becoming a popular destination due to cultural and linguistic proximity. However, obtaining currency for tuition and visa fees is challenging due to official conversion limits imposed by Turkmenistan.
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Turkmenistan Recruits State Employees for Cotton Harvest Amid Farmer Payment Shortfalls
Turkmenistan's 2026 cotton campaign, starting September 9, faces widespread labor violations, including the forced recruitment of state employees and children for harvesting. Farmers are reportedly not being paid adequately for their crops. Regional authorities are organizing the collection through centralized meetings and pressure on officials.
