Foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan

Summary

Kyrgyzstan has close relations with other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, particularly Kazakhstan and Russia, given the historical legacy of the Soviet Union. It also has close relations with Turkey as well, given their shared heritage as Turkic languages.

While Kyrgyzstan was initially determined to stay in the ruble zone, the stringent conditions set forth by the Russian Government prompted Kyrgyzstan to introduce its own currency, the som, in May 1993. Kyrgyzstan's withdrawal from the ruble zone was done with little prior notification and initially caused tensions in the region. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan temporarily suspended trade, and Uzbekistan even introduced restrictions tantamount to economic sanctions. Both nations feared an influx of rubles and an increase in inflation. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan's hostility toward Kyrgyzstan was short-lived, and the three nations signed an agreement in January 1994 creating an economic union. This led to the relaxation of border restrictions between the nations the following month. Kyrgyzstan also has contributed to the CIS peacekeeping forces in Tajikistan.

Turkey has sought to capitalize on its cultural and ethnic links to the region and has found Kyrgyzstan receptive to cultivating bilateral relations. The Kyrgyz Republic also has experienced a dramatic increase in trade with the People's Republic of China, its southern neighbor. Kyrgyzstan has been active in furthering regional cooperation, such as joint military exercises with Uzbek and Kazakh troops.

In January 1999, a new OSCE office opened in Bishkek; on February 18, 2000, the OSCE announced that an additional office would open in Osh to assist Bishkek in carrying out its work. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the OSCE, the CIS, and the United Nations.

Diplomatic relations edit

List of countries which Kyrgyzstan maintains diplomatic relations with:

 
# Country Date[1]
1   Turkey 23 December 1991
2   Australia 26 December 1991
3   United States 27 December 1991
4   Albania 4 January 1992
5   China 5 January 1992
6   Egypt 9 January 1992
7   North Korea 21 January 1992
8   Japan 26 January 1992
9   South Africa 26 January 1992
10   South Korea 31 January 1992
11   Germany 3 February 1992
12   Poland 10 February 1992
13    Switzerland 14 February 1992
14   Canada 17 February 1992
15   Cyprus 20 February 1992
16   France 28 February 1992
17   Bangladesh 3 March 1992
18   Israel 4 March 1992
19   India 18 March 1992
20   Cuba 20 March 1992
21   Russia 20 March 1992
22   Finland 23 March 1992
23   Italy 24 March 1992
24   Austria 25 March 1992
25   Belgium 25 March 1992
26   Sweden 25 March 1992
27   Madagascar 26 March 1992
28   Mexico 27 March 1992
29   Malaysia 2 April 1992
30   Spain 3 April 1992
31   Hungary 16 April 1992
32   Mongolia 22 April 1992
33   Philippines 22 April 1992
34   Denmark 8 May 1992
35   Iran 10 May 1992
36   Pakistan 10 May 1992
37   Oman 18 May 1992
38   Bulgaria 20 May 1992
39   Luxembourg 26 May 1992
40   Vietnam 4 June 1992
41   Netherlands 10 June 1992
42   Greece 12 June 1992
43   United Kingdom 12 June 1992
44   Romania 15 June 1992
45   Ghana 26 June 1992
46   Morocco 26 June 1992
47   Norway 26 June 1992
48   Georgia 10 July 1992
49   Lithuania 23 July 1992
50   Thailand 6 August 1992
51   Portugal 18 August 1992
  Holy See 27 August 1992
52   Singapore 27 August 1992
53   New Zealand 7 September 1992
54   Ukraine 18 September 1992
55   Argentina 6 October 1992
56   Turkmenistan 9 October 1992
57   Kazakhstan 15 October 1992
58   Saudi Arabia 19 October 1992
59   Moldova 30 October 1992
60   Mali 5 November 1992
61   Tunisia 25 November 1992
62   Czech Republic 1 January 1993
63   Slovakia 1 January 1993
64   Armenia 9 January 1993
65   Chad 11 January 1993
66   Tajikistan 14 January 1993
67   Azerbaijan 19 January 1993
68   Belarus 21 January 1993
69   Guatemala 10 February 1993
70   Jordan 10 February 1993
71   Uzbekistan 16 February 1993
72   Malta 19 February 1993
73   Libya 25 February 1993
74   Latvia 18 March 1993
75     Nepal 26 March 1993
76   Indonesia 5 April 1993
77   Bosnia and Herzegovina 23 April 1993
78   Syria 28 May 1993
79   Brazil 6 August 1993
80   Uruguay 13 August 1993
81   Maldives 31 August 1993
82   Zambia 17 September 1993
83   Colombia 6 October 1993
84   Slovenia 19 January 1994
85   North Macedonia 7 June 1994
86   Kuwait 17 December 1994
87   Samoa 14 February 1995
88   Cambodia 20 March 1995
89   Laos 13 June 1995
  State of Palestine 12 September 1995
90   Bahrain 9 February 1996
91   Brunei 15 March 1996
92   Estonia 12 April 1996
93   United Arab Emirates 1 August 1996
94   Sri Lanka 19 August 1996
95   Algeria 21 December 1996
96   Croatia 23 December 1996
97   Yemen 20 May 1997
98   Qatar 3 March 1998
99   Serbia 25 June 1998
100   Peru 2 January 1999
101   Chile 9 August 1999
102   Liechtenstein 16 September 1999
103   Afghanistan 12 November 1999
104   Jamaica 25 February 2000
105   Ireland 23 June 2000
106   Gambia 30 June 2000
107   Namibia 29 November 2000
108   Kenya 12 December 2000
109   Iceland 2 April 2001
110   Costa Rica 24 September 2001
111   Myanmar 9 November 2001
112   San Marino 20 September 2004
113   Benin 29 January 2009
114   Montenegro 24 June 2009
115   Senegal 2 April 2010
116   Dominican Republic 30 June 2011
117   Tuvalu 14 September 2011
118   Paraguay 23 May 2012
119   Fiji 14 February 2014
120   Eritrea 27 February 2014
121   Seychelles 5 March 2014
122   Uganda 19 March 2014
123   Andorra 26 September 2014
124   Solomon Islands 22 December 2014
125   Djibouti 3 June 2015
126   Guinea 8 September 2015
127   Ivory Coast 25 September 2015
128   Sudan 26 September 2015
129   Mauritania 30 September 2015
130   Togo 30 September 2015
131   Iraq 5 November 2015
132   Republic of the Congo 3 February 2016
133   El Salvador 17 March 2016
134   Mauritius 16 June 2016
135   Liberia 17 June 2016
136   Ethiopia 23 July 2016
137   Guyana 23 September 2016
138   Suriname 23 September 2016
139   Dominica 17 October 2016
140   Sierra Leone 1 November 2016
141   Central African Republic 21 November 2016
142   Ecuador 13 December 2016
143   Marshall Islands 22 December 2016
144   Monaco 9 March 2017
145   Nicaragua 7 July 2017
146   Lesotho 20 July 2017
147   Lebanon 29 July 2017
148   Burundi 23 November 2017
149   Zimbabwe 8 December 2017
150   Equatorial Guinea 7 June 2018
151   Saint Kitts and Nevis 8 June 2018
152   Venezuela 28 September 2018
153   Federated States of Micronesia 30 October 2018
154   Bolivia 30 May 2019
155   Grenada 3 June 2019
156   Cabo Verde 26 September 2019
157   Kiribati 26 September 2019
158   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 26 September 2019
159   Vanuatu 26 September 2019
160   Cameroon 27 September 2019
161   Mozambique 27 September 2019
162   Nauru 30 January 2020
163   Antigua and Barbuda 3 June 2021
164   Panama 24 September 2021
165   Palau 7 October 2021
166   Malawi 23 September 2022
167   Tonga 7 December 2022
168   Rwanda 13 December 2022
169   Saint Lucia 20 September 2023

Bilateral relations edit

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
  Armenia January 1993
  Australia

Australia is represented in Kyrgyzstan by its embassy in Moscow, Russia.[6]

  Azerbaijan

See Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan relations

  • Azerbaijan has an embassy in Bishkek.
  • Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Baku.
  China See China–Kyrgyzstan relations

As of 1996, relations between both nations were an area of substantial uncertainty for the government in Bishkek.[7] The free-trade zone in Naryn attracted large numbers of Chinese businesspeople, who came to dominate most of the republic's import and export of small goods.[7] Most of these trades are in barter conducted by ethnic Kyrgyz or Kazakhs who are Chinese citizens.[7] The Kyrgyzstani government has expressed alarm over the numbers of Chinese who are moving into Naryn and other parts of Kyrgyzstan, but no preventive measures had been taken as of 1996.[8]

  Croatia 23 December 1996
  Cyprus 20 February 1992
  Estonia 1996
  Finland See Finland–Kyrgyzstan relations
  Georgia
  Greece 1992 See Greece-Kyrgyzstan relations
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.[15] Greece is represented in Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Almaty (Kazakhstan). Kyrgyzstan is represented in Greece through a non resident ambassador based in Bishkek (in the Foreign Ministry). Kyrgyz consular representation in Greece is made by the Kazakh consulate in Athens.
  • On November 1, 2004, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev made an official visit to Greece.[16][17] A Foreign Ministry delegation from Greece visited Dushanbe for talks, and had meetings with Tajikistans Foreign Minister Zarifi and First Deputy Foreign Minister Youldashev in 2008. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met with Tajikistans Foreign Minister Zarifi during the 1st EU-Central Asia Forum on security issues in Paris in September 2008.[15]
  • There are between 650 and 700 people of Greek descent living in Kyrgyzstan.[18] However, the data of the General Secretariat For Greeks Abroad give an even lower number (50 people).[19]
  • In 2004 Greece and Kyrgyzstan signed a bilateral agreement for air transports, tourism and diplomacy during Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev's visit to Greece.[16][20]
  India 18 March 1992 See Kyrgyzstan–India relations

Since the independence of Kyrgyz Republic on 31 August 1991, India was among the first to establish bilateral diplomatic relations on 18 March 1992; the resident Mission of India was set up in 1994. Political ties with the Kyrgyz Republic have been traditionally warm and friendly. The Kyrgyz leaderships have been largely supportive of India's stand on Kashmir and have welcomed the ongoing peace process. Kyrgyzstan also supports India's bid for permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and India's role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). India also has strong educational ties with the country. The Defense Minister Omuraliyev was enthusiastic about the prospects of military cooperation in a radio interview with Free Europe in September 2013. "Many are skeptical, thinking that Kyrgyzstan and India can't have mutual interests in military relations.... But we have had a very close partnership in the defense sphere." He specified foreign language (presumably English) training, military medicine and preparing for United Nations peacekeeping missions as specific areas of cooperation.

  Iran See Iran–Kyrgyzstan relations

Iran–Kyrgyzstan relations are foreign and diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Iran. Bilateral relations between Iran and Kyrgyzstan are more or less even and somewhat relaxed. On September 12, 2013, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani expressed political will to enhance relations with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

  Japan 26 January 1992

Diplomatic relations between Japan and Kyrgyzstan were established on 26 January 1992. Japan opened an embassy in Bishkek in January 2003, and Kyrgyzstan opened an embassy in Tokyo in April 2004.[21]

  Kazakhstan See Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan relations

Bilateral relationships between the countries are very strong and Kyrgyz and Kazakh are very close in terms of language, culture and religion. Kyrgyz-Kazakh relationships have always been friendly and economic and other formal unifications of two countries have been greeted with strong appreciation since the two nations have a lot in common. On Apr. 26, 2007 Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement to create an "International Supreme Council". This historic event took place during an official visit of the Kazakh president to the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek.[22]

  Latvia 18 March 1993
  Lithuania 3 July 1992
  Malaysia See Kyrgyzstan–Malaysia relations

Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur,[25] while Malaysia embassy in Tashkent is also accredited to Kyrgyzstan.[26]

  Malta 19 February 1993
  Mexico 14 January 1992
  • Kyrgyzstan is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[28][29]
  • Mexico is accredited to Kyrgyzstan from its embassy in Tehran, Iran.
  Moldova
  • Kyrgyzstan is accredited to Moldova from its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Moldova is accredited to Kyrgyzstan from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
  North Korea 30 January 1992
  Pakistan 20 December 1991 See Kyrgyzstan–Pakistan relations

Relations between the two countries were established on 20 December 1991 shortly after Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union.[30]

  Poland See Kyrgyzstan–Poland relations
  Romania 15 June 1992
  Russia See Kyrgyzstan–Russia relations
 
President Almazbek Atambayev and Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 9 May 2015

Whereas the other Central Asian republics have sometimes complained of Russian interference, Kyrgyzstan has more often wished for more attention and support from Moscow than it has been able to obtain. For all the financial support that the world community has offered, Kyrgyzstan remains economically dependent on Russia, both directly and through Kazakhstan. In early 1995, Askar Akayev, the then President of Kyrgyzstan, attempted to sell Russian companies controlling shares in the republic's twenty-nine largest industrial plants, an offer that Russia refused.[7]

  Serbia 1998
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1998.[32]
  • In 2011, the total trade value amounted EUR 3,5 million.[32]
  South Korea 31 January 1992

The Republic of Korea and Kyrgyzstan have had official relations since 31 January 1992.[33] On the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Yerlan Abdyldaev on September 26. In the meeting, the two diplomats discussed matters of mutual concern including ways to boost high-level exchanges to step up substantive cooperation and work together on the international stage. The two sides shared the view that their countries have seen their bilateral relations move forward in diverse fields since the visit of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to the Republic of Korea in November 2013. The meeting resulted in an agreement to increase high-level exchanges in order to further enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries.[34]

  Spain See Kyrgyzstan–Spain relations
   Switzerland 1993

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993.[35]

  Tajikistan See Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan relations

Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan relations have been tense.[7] Refugees and antigovernment fighters in Tajikistan have crossed into Kyrgyzstan several times, even taking hostages.[7] Kyrgyzstan attempted to assist in brokering an agreement between contesting Tajikistani forces in October 1992 but without success.[7] Askar Akayev later joined presidents Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev in sending a joint intervention force to support Tajikistan's president Imomali Rahmonov against insurgents, but the Kyrgyzstani parliament delayed the mission of its small contingent for several months until late spring 1993. In mid-1995 Kyrgyzstani forces had the responsibility of sealing a small portion of the Tajikistan border near Panj from Tajikistani rebel forces.

  Turkey Jan. 29, 1992[36] See Kyrgyzstan–Turkey relations
  Turkmenistan See Kyrgyzstan-Turkmenistan relations
  • Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Ashgabat.
  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Bishkek.
  Ukraine
  • Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Kyiv.
  • Ukraine has an embassy in Bishkek.
  United Kingdom See Kyrgyzstan–United Kingdom relations
  • Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in London.
  • United Kingdom has an embassy in Bishkek.
  United States See Kyrgyzstan–United States relations

The U.S. government provides humanitarian assistance, non-lethal military assistance, and assistance to support economic and political reforms. It also has supported the Kyrgyz Republic's requests for assistance from international organizations.

The United States assisted the Kyrgyz Republic accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 1998. U.S. assistance aids the Kyrgyz Republic in implementing necessary economic, health sector, and educational reforms, and supports economic development and conflict resolution in the Fergana Valley. (See also American Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan.)

  • Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
  • United States has an embassy in Bishkek.
  Uzbekistan See Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan relations

Uzbekistan informs southern Kyrgyzstan both economically and politically, based on the large Uzbek population in that region of Kyrgyzstan and on economic and geographic conditions.[7] Much of Kyrgyzstan depends on Uzbekistan for natural gas; on several occasions, Karimov has achieved political ends by shutting pipelines or by adjusting terms of delivery.[7] In a number of television appearances broadcast in the Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces of Kyrgyzstan, Karimov has addressed Akayev with considerable condescension; Akayev, in turn, has been highly deferential to his neighbor.[7] Although Uzbekistan has not shown overt expansionist tendencies, the Kyrgyz government is acutely aware of the implications of Karimov's assertions that he is responsible for the well-being of all Uzbeks, regardless of their nation of residence.[7]

See also edit

References edit

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  2. ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Kyrgyzstan - Bilateral Relations - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia". www.mfa.am. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
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  22. ^ Central Asia: A Kyrgyz-Kazakh Step Towards Regional Union This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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