The question of whether Uzbekistan should join the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, with its single market of 184 million people, has provoked fierce debates.
The announced deals could be significant, and come shortly after the two sides patched up a period of serious political tensions. But many details remain unclear.
Repeated attempts from Baku to force Yerevan to negotiate may be having the opposite effect, as the government is now vulnerable to being seen as easily bullied.
The government is again registering new political parties and saying it wants pluralism. But the parties who are cooperating are being mocked as “bus opposition.”
Despite price increases and concerns about food shortages, the president is demanding more food be shipped abroad. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.