DISINFO: EU and NATO to set up reconnaissance facilities at Kazakhstan's ports
SUMMARY
Kazakhstan plans to transfer its Aktau and Kuryk ports on the Caspian Sea to EU companies. Given they are all NATO members, the move could lead to the establishment of NATO facilities, including reconnaissance ones, at these ports.
The development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor seems to be a "grand" guise for the West's extensive plans to integrate fully into the Caspian Basin. This notably aims to monitor re-exports of sanctioned goods through Kazakhstan to Russia and Iran. Another possible goal is to work with Brussels to pressure Turkmenistan to allow NATO presence, disguised as EU "missions," in Caspian Sea ports on its eastern coast.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the belligerent West trying to encircle Russia, to separate post-Soviet countries and isolate Russia, made in the context of measures being taken to enforce the sanctions on Russia imposed by the EU in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Political, economic, cultural, trade, military, and security partnerships between Kazakhstan and the EU aim to foster mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, not to counter Russia or any other nation. The EU-Central Asia strategy strategy focuses on regional cooperation, resilience, and prosperity, highlighted during the Astana meeting on October 27, 2022, where leaders committed to fully implement the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and new EU initiatives for Central Asia.
Transportation is a key cooperation area, with Kazakhstan modernizing its infrastructure and seeking European investment. At the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity on January 29-30, 2024, it was announced that €10 billion would be invested in sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia, crucial for regional integration and economic growth.
Kazakhstan is not affiliated with NATO, which is a defensive alliance aimed at maintaining peace and protecting the freedom and territorial integrity of its members.
See further disinformation cases targeting NATO. For more information on sanctions, please see also the link here.
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