Page 52 - bne IntelliNews magazine February 2025

52 I Eurasia bne February 2025
“Under the influence of the ‘GWP’, the Orwellian principle operates in the Modern World – ‘War is peace, slavery is freedom, and ignorance is power’,” the Political Council stated.
As an example, GD cited how the “GWP” refused to recognise the OSCE/ODIHR conclusion regarding the October 2024 parliamentary elections. The ruling party is seemingly alluding to how many in the European and US political sphere hold the belief that the autumn vote was not free or fair, a conclusion which the OSCE’s final observation report in fact draws.
Later in the day on January 8, cultural
expert Zaal Andronikashvili described the political council’s statement as a manifestation of “delusional disorder and a conspiracy theory”, whilst also signalling GD’s “refusal to hold new elections and its intent to dismantle the state”.
Political analyst Paata Zakareishvili, meanwhile, stated that “GD has realised it’s been cornered; they didn’t expect such a sharp reaction [sanctions] from the West. Now they’re trying to withstand the blow and then go on the offensive.”
The director for the Centre for Social Justice, Tamta Mikeladze said that she
believed GD’s propaganda should be taken more seriously. “Their primitive myths and conspiracy theories resonate with certain parts of society, and this requires not ridicule but proactive engagement,” she said.
With the current protest movement slowly losing steam and another four-year term for Georgian Dream increasingly becoming a reality, the statement gives insights into how the ruling party is seeking to firstly, retain its loyal supporters and, secondly, earn the trust of those Soviet-generation Georgians who may be on the fence, and for whom Europe does not provide all the answers to their problems.
Central Asian leaders look to expand mutual trade Eurasianet
After decades of competition over dwindling resources in Central Asia’s agricultural heartland, the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are embracing a spirit of cooperation as they jointly confront global warming-related challenges.
That spirit of cooperation was on display January 8, when the prime ministers of the three states gathered at a remote location in the Fergana Valley where
the three nations’ frontiers meet, to mark progress on settling long-standing border disputes.
Helping to pave the way for the gathering was a border demarcation agreement reached by Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan in December. The two countries engaged in armed clashes over the disputed frontier as recently as 2021 and 2022. And in 2023, reports that the two states were engaging in an arms buildup raised fears of renewed conflict.
The resolution of border disputes sets the stage for joint efforts to expand economic cooperation in 2025. “The prime ministers of the three countries emphasised that the countries have great potential for strengthening
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cooperation in such key areas as
trade, logistics, water-energy and cultural-humanitarian ties,” a Kyrgyz government statement issued after the meeting noted. Managing dwindling water resources was a major topic of discussion during the meeting.
With the region’s borders settled, barriers to cross-border trade should start coming down. The three states
are participating in a US-sponsored initiative, dubbed the B5+1 process, that promotes regional trade connectivity.
A report published on a World Bank blog in December touted the regional potential for e-commerce. “E-commerce development is a viable way to reduce poverty in Central Asia,” the item stated. “Except for the payment sector, which requires financial experts, the e-commerce ecosystem, particularly in production, marketing, and delivery, offers job opportunities that facilitate the participation of the poor and less skilled in online markets.”
This article first appeared on Eurasianet.
Uzbek prime minister Abdulla Aripov (left) shakes hands with his Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasymaliev ahead of the meeting where the PMs of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discussed settling their countries’ long-standing border disputes. / gov.kg