Recent data show that Kazakhstan is on course to become the world’s largest producer of uranium in 2009. Total output in Kazakhstan is anticipated at around 14,000 tonnes in 2009, making it the largest producer in the world, and the authorities have ambitious targets to push output up further. Uzbekistan also seeking to increase output, while increased global demand might even make hitherto unexploited mines in Kyrgyzstan viable. The ambitions don’t stop there, with both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan seeking to move beyond simply extracting uranium.

The EU’s most recent aviation blacklist bars all of Kyrgyzstan’s airlines from entering the Union’s air space, and all but one from Kazakhstan. The blanket ban reflects EU concern at safety deficiencies in the oversight system. Reflecting their Soviet-era legacy, a combination of weak financial resources, outdated legislation and lax regulatory requirements has affected development of the aviation sector in these countries. To meet EU requirements, substantial modernisation of the sector will be required.

The destruction of the Central Asia-wide electricity grid has demonstrated the fragility of energy arrangements in the region and the lack of political co-operation among regional states in general. At the same time, the destruction of the regional distribution network may have drastic consequences for all the countries in the region.

On the eve of its chairmanship, Kazakhstan seems to be entering a systemic crisis. The old development paradigm does not work anymore. Internal problems have accumulated and are challenging the current status quo. How will that affect the country’s performance in OSCE?

Officially, the Central Asian states continue to have the same literacy rates as under the Soviet regime, which is about 99 % of the population. The reality of the situation is altogether different. Figures provided by UNICEF reveal a significant drop in enrolment in primary schools in over little more than a decade. It will weigh heavily on the future of Central Asia in a world in which the mastery of knowledge is one of the drivers of economic development.

As the European Union sets out an ambitious agenda in its Central Asian strategy, its support for education may be used to raise awareness of Europe and help states create national cadres capable of sustaining the desired dialogue. A number of universities in Kyrgyzstan have already introduced European studies into their curricula. While it is far too early to take stock, some preliminary impressions can already be discussed.

The EU-Kazakhstan and EU-Tajikistan civil society seminars on the themes of the judiciary and detention organised at the end of June in Almaty and in mid-July in Dushanbe, demonstrate how difficult it is to improve the situation in these key areas of the rule of law and human rights protection.

As the world considers how best to regulate the ‘virtual reality’ of online information exchange and communication, Kazakhstan has taken a tough and clearly disproportionate step to tighten its grip on the internet. The main target of public indignation was the equation of blogs, chat-rooms and other websites, which used to be deemed a user’s private territory, with mass media outlets, imposing the same liability for libel, calumny, violation of privacy and other breaches, which are subject to criminal prosecution in Kazakhstan.

As expected, Kurmanbek Bakiev won the presidential elections held on July 23rd in Kyrgyzstan by huge margin. This presidential election is a new step in the process of concentration of power by Kurmanbek Bakiev and the growing consolidation of a 'simulated democracy' system, far from the expectations generated during the early 1990s. The opposition, headed by Atambaev (8% votes), has denounced the validity of the entire process and has organised some public protests, although only a few people have appreared on the streets.

EUCAM, in cooperation with Asian Development Bank, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Wolfensohn Centre for Development (Brookings Institution), organised a conference on Regional Cooperation and Development in Central Asia. The event was hosted by CEPS on March 2-3, 2009. The gathering was marked by a broad range of perspectives on the constellation of interests, capacities and motivations regarding a more integrated Central Asia. Water resource issues that largely define the relationships between the Central Asian states were discussed from various angles by Central Asian and international experts and representatives of major donor agencies (Aga Khan Development Network and UNDP)