By empty (1/26/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan will complete talks on its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2007, the Kazakh government and National Bank said in a joint statement published on Friday. \"2007 will see the completion of bilateral negotiations with all member-countries of the working group responsible for Kazakhstan\'s accession to the WTO,\" says the statement, which addresses the country\'s economic and social policy targets for 2007. An action plan will be formulated to put in place a system to assess safety risks and control the quality of agricultural and industrial products, in compliance with international requirements as Kazakhstan prepares to join the WTO, the document says.

By empty (1/26/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has taken a decision following his consultations with the leaders of parliamentary factions on Friday morning to nominate Azim Isabekov as a candidate for the post of the country\'s prime minister, the head of state\'s press service reported. Isabekov is currently serving as acting agriculture minister. (Interfax).

By empty (1/25/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Chechnya\'s President Alu Alkhanov said that he will not run for a second term but that his early resignation is not being considered. \"Concerning plans for a second term, I personally have not made such plans. This is my own wish, my decision,\" Alkhanov told Interfax on Thursday.