Central Eurasia Week in Review - June 13, 2014 Share This /

This week the Commission on Security and Cooperation, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, held hearings this past week on the security and human rights dimensions of U.S.-Azerbaijan relations, while U.S.- Georgian military drills kick off near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. A new report from Freedom House shows continued setbacks in good governance and rule of law in the region. Below is a roundup of these stories, as well as other news highlights from the Central Eurasian region.

Top News from Central Asia and the South Caucasus

• Eric Rubin and Tom Melia, two State Department officials, were among the witnesses called to testify on the current state of U.S.-Azerbaijan relations. Rubin emphasized in his testimony the need for the U.S. to continue its security and economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, despite the Commission’s serious concerns with Azerbaijan’s human rights situation. While Melia strongly urged Azerbaijan to take more concrete steps to improve upon democracy and human rights issues. You can watch the full hearing here.
• Annual U.S.-Georgian military exercises commenced this week near Tbilisi. These exercises are held as part of security cooperation agreement between Georgia and the United States.
• In its new Nations in Transit 2014 report, Freedom House highlights key findings in democratic governance for the Central Eurasian region. Overall, the environment for civil society worsened in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, while conditions in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan remained dire. On a more positive note, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia continued to improve their ratings in democratic governance and civil society.

Quick Hits

• The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan claimed responsibility for this week's deadly assault on the Karachi airport in Pakistan. 
• The U.S. and Kazakhstan renewed their calls to strengthen their strategic partnership and prioritize trade, investment, and military cooperation in their bilateral relations.
• The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan stated there is “great potential” for further bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas between the two countries.
• Fatema Sumar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, concluded her visit to Turkmenistan this week. Her visit focused on economic and political cooperation, human rights, the New Silk Road Initiative, and Turkmenistan’s role in supporting Afghanistan’s regional integration.
• Georgia and Albania discussed the possibility of defense cooperation
• The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe conducted monitoring on the contact line between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.
• The number of ammunitions and arms Russia sold to Armenia and Azerbaijan was made public this week.