The Russian labor market is a vital source of employment for many Central Asians; Russia plays key roles in the energy, and energy export, sectors of Central Asia; and Russia remains the guarantor of security in the region.

A storm in the Russian part of the Black Sea damaged the loading equipment of CPC, one of the world's largest oil pipelines that transports oil from Kazakhstan to world markets.

A storm in the Russian part of the Black Sea damaged the loading equipment of CPC, one of the world's largest oil pipelines that transports oil from Kazakhstan to world markets.

Azerbaijan exports natural gas to Turkey and Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor and continues to make inroads into an energy market which until now has been dominated by Russia.

The country reduced oil exports by 13.9 percent year-on-year to 4.9 million tonnes and increased exports of natural gas by 19.4 percent to 3.96 bcm.