The EU's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has said she is "very concerned" about the unrest in Kyrgystan and has called for a stable government. At least 117 people have been killed in the ethnic clashes so far. READ MORE

Kazakhstan, often perceived in western capitals in terms of its energy wealth or its close relationship with Russia, is undoubtedly an important geostrategic player in Eurasia and in early 2010 became the first former Soviet country to chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has elicited speculation and controversy concerning its role and potential. READ MORE