Photo: AFP/Hamad Al-Kaabi
Eurasia
21/10/2023 12:46
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, experts and researchers acknowledged that the GCC-ASEAN summit accelerated common economic and developmental convergence between the nations of both bodies. The policies of the participating nations have emphasized development and economics, along with the adoption of balanced political stances.
The GCC-ASEAN summit comes three months after a similar gathering that brought together GCC nations and Central Asian countries in Jeddah.
Leaders of countries participating in the #GCC-#ASEAN summit pose for a family photo as their summit kicks off in #Riyadh pic.twitter.com/CIOx5fM448
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) October 20, 2023
The notion of Central Asia being the "Dutch patient" is a term used to describe a region that has experienced economic challenges yet has shown signs of positive growth. Geographically, Central Asia is a region bordered by the Caspian Sea to the west, China to the east, Afghanistan to the south, and Russia to the north. Comprising five former Soviet republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—the region's abundant natural resources and strategic geographic location, as well as its natural beauty and cultural heritage, rapidly transformed it into a major economic bloc by the first quarter of the 21st century.With a population of 82 million, Central Asia has become a dynamic market, attracting growing interest from Europe to Africa.
Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun has summoned Nawaf Salam, the head of the International Court of Justice, to designate him as the country’s prime minister after he won the backing of more than half of parliamentarians. The decision spark outrage in the ranks of Hezbollah, as the paramilitary organisation wanted PM Najib Mikati to keep the job.
Turkmenistan is a Turkic state in Central Asia. It borders Uzbekistan to the north, Iran to the south and Afghanistan to the southeast. Turkmenistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkmenistan proclaimed its permanent neutrality, recognized by the United Nations on December 12, 1995.