On September 22, 2022, a telephone conversation took place between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The head of the friendly country warmly and cordially congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on his birthday, wishing him good health, well-being and further success in his many-sided state activities. As noted, the Russian Federation highly appreciates the efforts of the President of Turkmenistan aimed at strengthening the traditional cooperation between the two states.

Expressing gratitude for the congratulations and good wishes, as well as for the constant attention to the development of good neighborly relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, the head of state noted with satisfaction that the traditionally friendly relations of our countries, based on the principles of strategic partnership, trust and mutual understanding, are successfully developing today on the widest range of areas.

In this context, the Turkmen leader noted the productivity of the recent meeting with the President of Russia on the sidelines of the Samarkand Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which made it possible to discuss topical issues of interaction and exchange views on the prospects for further partnership.

During the conversation, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan pays special attention to strengthening a constructive dialogue with the Russian Federation as one of the priority vectors of its foreign policy. The productivity of bilateral contacts at the highest state and government levels, as well as the ever-expanding ties with Russian regions, was noted.

The heads of state were unanimous in their opinion that the expansion of trade and economic ties occupies a special place on the agenda of the multifaceted Turkmen-Russian partnership, which is greatly facilitated by the effective work of the joint Intergovernmental Commission.

Confirming their readiness for further comprehensive multifaceted cooperation, the parties expressed confidence in its successful development for the benefit of the peoples of the two friendly countries.

At the end of the telephone conversation, Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Vladimir Putin exchanged best wishes for each other and the peoples of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation.

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the high level of bilateral political relations between the countries, the Kremlin website reports.

This is also confirmed by mutual visits at the highest level – on June 10, the Turkmen leader paid an official visit to Moscow, and on June 29, the head of the Russian Federation visited Ashgabat to participate in the Caspian Summit.

The President of Turkmenistan also noted the strengthening of inter-parliamentary networks, a great impulse to the development of which was given by the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian countries and the Russian Federation, held in Ashgabat.

Russia wants to take trade and economic relations with Turkmenistan to a new level, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Turkmen leader Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the SCO summit, according to the Kremlin website.

The Russian leader emphasized the special role of energy in economic relations with Turkmenistan, noting the successful long-term work of “Gazprom” and “Tatneft” with Turkmen partners.

Putin thanked Berdimuhamedov for creating the conditions necessary for the work of Russian companies in Turkmenistan. In total, 190 enterprises with Russian participation conduct economic activity in the country, the head of the Russian Federation said.

– We aim to diversify our economic ties through other areas of interaction,-the Russian leader said. – I mean agriculture, textile industry. We are ready to increase the supply of non-primary products to the market of Turkmenistan.

It was also reported at the meeting that 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation are actively cooperating with Turkmenistan. With many of them, agreements were concluded in the trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural spheres.

The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the assistant of the Russian leader for International Affairs Yuri Ushakov.

The SCO Summit will be held from September 15 to 16 in the Uzbek city of Samarkand. It is expected that the Turkmen leader will take part in the event as an honorary guest.

The upcoming summit will also be attended by the leaders of the SCO member states - India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the heads of observer states – Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia.

The leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey will be honored guests at the event, along with the head of Turkmenistan.

The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the nuclear security and nonproliferation order was the primary debate topic of the 6th Batumi Summer University on Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Issues. Discussions were centered on the conflict’s consequences for national, regional, and global security.

Internationally renowned academics and researchers have been lecturing and facilitating debates in Batumi every summer for almost seven years. We are proud of our collaboration with academics and learners from Stockholm University, Kings College London, GIPA, Odessa Mechnikov National University, Caucasus University, the University of Georgia, and European University (Georgia), Kutaisi State University, Ilia State University.

The Batumi Summer University on Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation was founded in 2015 and serves as a forum for networking, learning, and exchange among experts in the nuclear industry, decision-makers, academics, and students. It is a yearly, worldwide event with its headquarters at the Batumi State University. The Civil Council on Defense and Security, Batumi State University, and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority are working together on the proposal.

On 10 August, G7 Foreign Ministers, including the EU High Representative Josep Borrell,  demanded that Russia immediately hand back full control of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and of all the nuclear facilities to its rightful sovereign owner, Ukraine. This will ensure their safe and secure operation. 

“Ukrainian staff operating the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant must be able to carry out their duties without threats or pressure. It is Russia’s continued control of the plant that endangers the region,” says the G7 statement.

The ministers warned that the seizure of Ukrainian nuclear facilities and other actions by Russian armed forces significantly raise the risk of a nuclear accident or incident and endangering the population of Ukraine, neighboring states and the international community. It also undermines the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) ability to monitor Ukraine’s peaceful nuclear activities for safeguarding purposes.

“IAEA staff must be able to access all nuclear facilities in Ukraine safely and without impediment, and engage directly, and without interference, with the Ukrainian personnel responsible for the operation of these facilities,” says the statement.

Find out more

Press release

The European Commission has welcomed the decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its infractions of international aviation rules, in order to preserve the safety and security of civil aviation. 

The ICAO decision refers to the violation of Ukraine’s sovereign airspace in the context of Russia’s war of aggression, and to the deliberate and continued violation of several safety requirements in an attempt by the Russian government to circumvent EU sanctions. These actions include illegally double-registering in Russia aircraft stolen from leasing companies, and permitting Russian airlines to operate these aircraft on international routes without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, which is the necessary safety certificate.

Adina Vălean, European Commissioner responsible for Transport, said: “It is of utmost importance for all countries to defend the international aviation rules-based system, for the safety of passengers and crew. Russia continues to disrespect the fundamental rules of international aviation and to instruct its airlines to work against these rules. I welcome the ICAO Council’s clear condemnation, which reflects the gravity of the actions undertaken by Russia.”

ICAO yesterday informed its 193 Member States about Russia’s blatant non-respect of crucial international aviation law and will bring the issue to its next general Assembly, taking place from 27 September to 7 October 2022.

Today, the 7th of August 2022, marks the 14th year after the full-fledged military intervention of the Russian Federation against Georgia in 2008. It entailed illegal occupation of the inseparable regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and their recognition as so-called independent states by Russia.
After 14 years of the occupation, Russia does not fulfill the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, and expands its illegal control in the occupied regions, continues the process of their militarization, actively undertakes steps towards their de-facto annexation. With building barbed wires and other artificial barriers along the occupation line, illegal detentions and kidnappings, gross violations of human rights and ethnic discrimination of Georgians it is undermining the security, human rights and humanitarian situation on the ground and is trying to isolate the people living in the occupied territories from the rest of Georgia and the international community. 
Violation of fundamental human rights in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, ethnic discrimination and the violation of the right of hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees to return to their homes in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia continues to be a heavy humanitarian burden of Russia’s illegal occupation. The impunity encouraged in the cases of deprivation of lives of Davit Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria, and Archil Tatunashvili increases the risk of further violence on ethnic grounds.
Against this background, unrestricted access of international human rights bodies and the establishment of international security mechanisms on the ground, as well as access of the EU Monitoring Mission to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, which is hampered by the occupation force, is becoming even more critical.
Against this challenging backdrop, the Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights from 21 January 2021 on the 2008 Russia-Georgia war was a pivotal event. It legally confirmed the fact of occupation and effective control over Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation. Therefore, Russia was held accountable for the blatant violations of human rights and basic freedoms on the ground. This decision, which is the first legal assessment of the 2008 Russia-Georgia War, reveals the futility of Russia’s longstanding effort to avoid legal responsibility for the illegal occupation of Georgian regions and its consequences.
Georgia unequivocally continues implementation of the policy of peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict and is determined to use the diplomatic and legal instruments and continue close cooperation with its international partners to ensure unification and peaceful development of the country, facilitate confidence building between the communities divided by the occupation line and creation of a common European future.
Georgia is grateful for the unwavering support of the international community to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and highly appreciates the contribution of international partners in the process of peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict. This support is particularly crucial today when with its military aggression against Ukraine the Russian Federation continues ignoring the fundamental principles and norms of international law and undermines the entire European security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the Russian Federation to cease illegal and provocative steps against Georgia, to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, to fulfill the obligations under the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, to withdraw its forces from the territory of Georgia and to reverse the illegal decision on recognition of the so-called independence of the occupied regions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeals to the international community to continue consolidated efforts for achieving peaceful conflict settlement and de-occupation of Georgian territories, the return of IDPs and refugees to their homes, and ensuring peace and security in Georgia and the region as a whole.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its condolences to the families and relatives of the soldiers and civilians who died heroically in the 2008 war.

The EU today decided to impose restrictive measures against pro-Russian former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr in response to the ongoing unjustified and unprovoked Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

The Council of the European Union added Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject torestrictive measures for their role in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and the state’s stability and security, as well as – in the case of Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych – for conducting transactions with the separatist groups in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Find out more

Press release

The European Union on Friday condemned “in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces and their proxies”.

A statement issued by EU High Representative Josep Borrell said Russia’s ongoing illegitimate and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and its people brought further horrific atrocities day by day. 

“Today in Olenivka, in eastern Ukraine, Russia is reported to have killed dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war, including defenders of Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant, who surrendered to Russia, were registered by the ICRC in May and were in Russia’s legal protection under international humanitarian law. Evidence in form of appalling video footage has been widely shared on pro-Kremlin social networks today, in which Russian soldiers commit a heinous atrocity against a Ukrainian prisoner of war.” 

Borrell added: “These inhumane, barbaric acts represent severe breaches of the Geneva conventions and their Additional Protocol and amount to war crimes.” 

The perpetrators of war crimes and other serious violations, as well as the responsible government officials and military representatives, will be held accountable, the statement said. 

Find out more

Press release