Niyazov
Turkmenbashi's arch to be removed
19.01.2010. Category:Turkmenistan
A giant arch topped by a gold-plated statue of Turkmenistan's late leader, Saparmyrat Niyazov, is to be moved out of the centre of the country's capital.
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Are reforms back on the shelf?
23.09.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov is making a trip to the United States this week which includes a speech at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly and meetings with top US officials. It will be difficult for him to present himself as the hoped for reformer who is willing to take Turkmenistan out of present isolationist course.More ...
Is Turkmenistan a reliable partner for the EU? New ETG Analysis
16.09.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Relations between the European Union (EU) and Turkmenistan are focused on establishing an energy dialogue. Prior to the death of President Niyazov, Turkmenistan was the most isolated country in Central Asia. Ties between Brussels and Ashgabat were poor at best. The emergence of Berdymukhamedov as Niyazov’s successor and his subsequent election to the presidency gave the EU a chance to move bilateral relations with Turkmenistan to a qualitatively new level. The initial rhetoric of the new president was promising. He appeared to identify some changes in foreign and economic policy, namely, a strengthening of the country’s orientation towards the West. This encouraged Brussels to hope for new opportunities with Turkmenistan.More ...
Open letter to the Chairman of the German Social Democrats
26.03.2009. Category:Central Asia
Probably only for insiders in Germany and Switzerland: The Chairman of the SPD, Franz Muentefering, said recently that the German Army could invade in Switzerland, in order to get an agreement on opening the Swiss bank secret for the German fiscal authorities. Although he of course did not intend to do so (strange kind of humour), a huge discussion began in the German and Swiss press.
A specialist on Central Asia wrote an open letter to Chairman Muentefering, which we would like to publish here (sorry, only in German). If you need a rough translation, let us know.More ...
A specialist on Central Asia wrote an open letter to Chairman Muentefering, which we would like to publish here (sorry, only in German). If you need a rough translation, let us know.More ...
Deutsche Bank complicit in Niyazov's terror regime
12.03.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
A new report slams a leading German bank for allowing Turkmenistan’s former president, Saparmurat Niyazov, to stash billions of dollars in state earnings in a personally controlled account.More ...
Turkmenistan's 'gray cardinal' leaves government
23.01.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
With the resignation this week of a cabinet minister widely regarded as the "gray cardinal" behind its current president, Turkmenistan has lost the last of the old guard installed by the late strongman Sapamurat Niyazov. More ...
Incompetent officials hinder Turkmen reforms
23.01.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov is engaged in a major reshuffle of his top officials, although NBCentralAsia analysts question whether simply bringing in new faces will be enough to make government more efficient.
More ...US Embassy in Turkmenistan: Improving relations
20.01.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat says bilateral relations have improved since Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov came to power in late 2006. More ...