US makes moves in Central Asia with SCO members

4th Apr 2024

It has been announced that Kazakhstan and the United States are discussing logistics opportunities and the prospects of natural resource extraction in this Central Asian country. Recently, Astana has taken measures to eliminate bottlenecks in the Middle Corridor. During negotiations in Washington, the head of the Republic's Foreign Ministry, Murat Nurtleu, proposed using advanced American technologies. The United States has recently been seeking to exercise control over the logistics of Central Asia.
Kazakhstan is implementing measures to remove bottlenecks on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. This route connects the container rail freight networks of China and the European Union through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. Satzhan Ablaliyev, the Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, made this statement during the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council in Baku.

The middle corridor is a crucial transport route for facilitating interaction between our countries and enabling Chinese goods to reach Europe. To enhance the capacity of this route, we are implementing measures to eliminate bottlenecks and increase its capacity.

Kazakhstan Railways JSC has already initiated several projects to construct second tracks, which will boost freight transportation along the TMTM. Construction of a new road on the border with China has already begun, and a new checkpoint is opening.
Kazakhstan is implementing measures to remove bottlenecks on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. This route connects the container rail freight networks of China and the European Union through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. Satzhan Ablaliyev, the Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, made this statement during the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council in Baku.

Kazakhstan Railways JSC has already initiated several projects to construct second tracks, which will boost freight transportation along the TMTM. Construction of a new road on the border with China has already begun, and a new checkpoint is opening.
The central corridor facilitates the transportation of goods from China to Turkey, Europe, and back in a short period of 20-25 days.

During negotiations between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, they discussed Kazakhstan's logistics capabilities and proposed utilizing advanced US technologies to develop transport routes and commercial potential between the two states.
The Middle Corridor is set to become the primary route for supplying fertilizers to Europe from Central Asia. A dedicated terminal is being constructed in Azerbaijan's capital for this purpose. Additionally, if Kazakhstan expands its uranium processing capabilities, nuclear fuel will be transported along another section of the corridor. Currently, Kazakhstan however has only has one enrichment plant, which was built by China, and its products are exported exclusively to China.

Experts say that the Middle Corridor project showcases active cooperation between the West and the East, as well as between Europe and China.

Recently, the United States has been seeking ways to make cooperation with Washington more appealing to Central Asian countries. One such effort is the C5+1 format, established in 2015, which includes representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the United States. However, some American experts consider it inadequate.
For eight years, only annual meetings were held between heads of foreign affairs agencies. The first full-fledged summit took place in the fall of last year, where the leaders of Central Asian countries and the United States convened in New York to discuss expanding cooperation in the development and extraction of natural resources. The first full-fledged summit took place in the fall of last year, where the leaders of Central Asian countries and the United States convened in New York to discuss expanding cooperation in the development and extraction of natural resources. The topic was discussed at the meeting of the Dialogue on Critical Minerals in the C5+1 format, held at the US State Department.
During the meeting between Murat Nurtleu and Antony Blinken, as well as the meetings between US Senator Steve Daines and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana and Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, concerns were raised regarding the mining of uranium,oil, and lithium in Kazakhstan. The republic has already signed eight-year contracts with some American companies, and discussions are underway to increase the supply of natural uranium to US energy companies. Kazakhstani and American companies have successfully collaborated in the Kashagan, Karachaganak, and Tengiz fields oil and gas fields.
Meanwhile, German industrial concern HMS has expressed interest in lithium mining. Recently, reserves of this strategic resource worth $15.7 billion were discovered in eastern Kazakhstan. If Washington offers more favourable conditions, it is possible that they will develop these reserves jointly with Kazakhstan. A year ago, it was reported that Kazakhstan was increasing its tanker fleet to export its oil, bypassing Russia through Azerbaijan.

During their meeting in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Steve Daines and Sadyr Japarov discussed expanding political and economic partnerships, as well as promising projects in the fields of transport, energy, agriculture, and mining. The American senator emphasized the strategic importance of the Central Asian region.
Japarov responded to a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the possible adoption of a bill on “foreign representatives” and asked him not to interfere in the internal affairs of Kyrgyzstan. He emphasized that the development of political dialogue with the United States is one of the priority areas of foreign policy in his country. He highlighted the significance of enhancing inter-parliamentary collaboration between the two nations, stressing that the establishment of extensive cooperation between the United States and Central Asia 'is of mutual interest.'
American politicians and diplomats have recently become more active in Central Asia, but their actions are not directed against the Russian Federation. Washington has repeatedly attempted to persuade Russia's southern neighbors to join in imposing sanctions against it. Additionally, the United States is discussing cooperation with countries in the fields of energy, security, economy, and the environment.
During a conversation with Izvestia, Rustam Burnashev, a security specialist in Central Asia, highlighted the increase in US activity in the region.

However, he questioned the depth and practicality of this cooperation, stating that he struggled to imagine what the United States could offer to the region.

The expert specifically mentioned the infrastructure projects proposed by China and Russia.
“It is difficult to predict what the United States will do in this regard.” There are no purely regional projects in Central Asia. Countries in the region do not see Washington as a counterweight to Moscow and Beijing. All Central Asian states, to varying degrees, follow a so-called multi-vector policy, seeking to cooperate with all centers of power that want to be present in the region. There is no preference,” the specialist concluded.

In a conversation with Izvestia, Chingiz Lepsibaev, the President of the Eurasian Expert Council public fund, highlighted that Central Asian countries welcome investments.

Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia, these countries, particularly Kazakhstan, face difficulties in receiving goods and technologies through Russia, especially in the energy sector. This includes renewable energy sources and geological exploration. The expert noted that Kazakhstan lacks the necessary technologies for drilling in the Caspian Sea or developing oil fields.

As a result, the country is dependent on American and European technologies. The United States has invested heavily in Kazakhstan's energy sector, which is a significant part of the country's economy. Kazakhstan maintains friendly relations with the United States and other states in the region. Kazakhstan, along with other Central Asian countries, does not have geopolitical ambitions. Its focus is on trade. However, this should not be interpreted as Western influence or a threat to Russian interests,” the analyst concluded.