Auteur/autrice : Derya Soysal

In 2026, Turkmenistan celebrates the 35th anniversary of its independence, a historic milestone that invites a deeper look at how a young state has sought stability, identity, and international relevance amid a shifting geopolitical landscape. The country declared independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved, immediately facing the dual challenge of state‑building at home and positioning abroad in a region bordered by new and old uncertainties—not least the civil conflict in neighboring Afghanistan and the global realignments following the Cold War. To consolidate its future, the country moved swiftly to stabilize governance and the economy, adopting policies designed to shield domestic…

Over the past few years, Kazakhstan has quietly but steadily emerged as one of the most dynamic tourism destinations across Eurasia. Once primarily known for its vast steppes, rich natural resources, and strategic location along the historic Silk Road, the country is now attracting growing attention from travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, affordable travel, and increasingly sophisticated infrastructure. From bustling modern cities to serene mountain ranges and ancient traditions, Kazakhstan offers a unique blend that appeals to a wide variety of visitors. What makes this transformation particularly remarkable is the diversity of markets driving the country’s tourism growth.…

A major constitutional reform has been proposed in Kazakhstan at the beginning of 2026, on January 31, affecting 77 articles (84% of the Basic Law) in order to strengthen human rights, clarify the structure of the State, and improve the legal framework. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signed on Wednesday a decree calling for a national referendum on the country’s new Constitution to be held on March 15, with more than 12.4 million citizens eligible to vote and 20.8 billion tenge (US$42 million) allocated to organize the process. The aim is to abandon the “super-presidential” form of governance. This profound overhaul follows…

The Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies hosted the 5th International Symposium “Alisher Navoi and the Eastern Renaissance”, held on the occasion of the 585ᵗʰ anniversary of the birth of Mir Alisher Navoi, one of the greatest poets and thinkers of the Turkic world. The event, co‑organized by the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the Alisher Navoiy International Public Foundation, and the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, brought together scholars and diplomats from across Asia and Europe. A Ceremony of Respect: Flowers at the Navoi Monument The symposium opened with a flower‑laying ceremony at the Alisher Navoi Monument in the…

Uzbekistan pursues an exemplary multivector foreign policy and has established itself as one of the principal mediators in Central Asia. As a bridge country between East and West and a central element of the historic Silk Road, Uzbekistan and Central Asia occupy a pivotal geopolitical position. Consequently, both Western and Eastern powers are actively competing to strengthen their bilateral relations with Uzbekistan. The Importance of Central Asia Nowadays Eighteen years ago, Blank, S. (2008) published an article entitled “The Strategic Importance of Central Asia: An American View”, in which he sought to underline the importance of Central Asia at a…

Eurasiafocus proudly took part in the celebration of the 585th anniversary of Alisher Navoi at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels, at an event organized by EUReflect’s expert and Director of the Tourism Department, Derya Soysal. The event brought together distinguished speakers, including Derya Soysal, Pierre Bastin, and Antonio Buscardini, who explored Alisher Navoi’s enduring legacy from cultural, literary, and tourism perspectives. Antonio Buscardini highlighted how Alisher Navoi serves as a cultural bridge for promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism, pointing to symbolic landmarks such as the Alisher Navoi metro and park stations as living reflections of this heritage. Pierre Bastin emphasized Navoi’s…

L’Azerbaïdjan s’impose de plus en plus comme un pont essentiel entre l’Asie et l’Europe, et l’année 2025 a clairement confirmé sa position géographique stratégique ainsi que son rôle crucial tant pour l’Europe que pour l’Asie centrale. Il convient de rappeler que l’Azerbaïdjan est devenu un membre à part entière des Réunions consultatives des chefs d’État d’Asie centrale. Les dirigeants d’Asie centrale ont approuvé à l’unanimité l’adhésion de l’Azerbaïdjan à ce cadre consultatif en tant que membre permanent lors de la septième Réunion consultative des chefs d’État, tenue à Tachkent en novembre 2025. Cette annonce a été faite lors de cette…

L’année 2025 a marqué une étape de renouveau qualitatif et de consolidation des positions de politique étrangère de l’Ouzbékistan. Le président ouzbek, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, s’est rendu en Belgique, à Bruxelles, la capitale européenne, pour signer l’Accord de partenariat et de coopération renforcé (Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement – EPCA) avec Ursula von der Leyen. Cette année 2025 a véritablement été l’année de l’Ouzbékistan. Signature de l’EPCA, tenue du Sommet UE–Asie centrale à Samarcande, organisation de la 43ᵉ conférence générale de l’UNESCO à Samarcande (pour la première fois en dehors de Paris), rencontre entre Shavkat Mirziyoyev et Donald Trump aux États-Unis……

Turkmenistan has declared the year 2026 as “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses”, in accordance with a Resolution of the Mejlis (the Grand Assembly) of Turkmenistan. Each year, Turkmenistan designates a specific theme for the year—an initiative that has gradually gained international visibility. The purpose of this policy is to symbolically devote the country to a major theme that promotes universal ideas and values such as peace, cooperation, respect for art and literature, humanism, emancipation, and respect for animals. 2024 – Ocean of Wisdom of Magtymguly Pyragy In 2024, the Turkmen government dedicated the year as…

Independent since 16 December 1991, Kazakhstan occupies a particular place within the Central Asian space: it is the largest and the most westernised of the five Central Asian states, with a territory equivalent to five times the size of France. It is the largest Muslim country in the world, with a surface area of 2,717,300 km², according to an Arab media outlet entitled Arabia Weather (Arabia Weather, January 2022). Moreover, RFI.fr refers to the country as the heavyweight of the five Central Asian republics. Research conducted by Laurent Pinguet of IRIS, entitled Kazakhstan: A Country of the Future, already testified…