Foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan

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

List of countries which Kyrgyzstan maintains diplomatic relations with:

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Armenia is represented in Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan and an honorary consulate in Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Collective Security Treaty Organization and Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area.

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

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See Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan relations

Azerbaijan has an embassy in Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Baku.

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|||||See China–Kyrgyzstan relations

As of 1996, relations between both nations were an area of substantial uncertainty for the government in Bishkek.

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Georgia is represented in Kyrgyzstan by its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzstan is represented in Georgia by its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

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|||1992||See Greece-Kyrgyzstan relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. 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.
There are between 650 and 700 people of Greek descent living in Kyrgyzstan. However, the data of the General Secretariat For Greeks Abroad give an even lower number (50 people).
In 2004 Greece and Kyrgyzstan signed a bilateral agreement for air transports, tourism and diplomacy during Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev's visit to Greece.

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|||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.

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|||||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.

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|||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.

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|||||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.

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|||||See Kyrgyzstan–Malaysia relations

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

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|||19 February 1993||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 February 1993.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

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|||14 January 1992||

Kyrgyzstan is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Mexico is accredited to Kyrgyzstan from its embassy in Tehran, Iran.

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|||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.

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|||||See Kyrgyzstan–Russia relations

thumb|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.

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|||1998||

Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1998.
In 2011, the total trade value amounted EUR 3,5 million.

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|||||See Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan relations

Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan relations have been tense.||See Kyrgyzstan–Turkey relations

Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Ankara.
Turkey became the first state to recognize the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

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|||||See Kyrgyzstan–Turkmenistan relations

Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan has an embassy in Bishkek.

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||| 12 June 1992 ||See Kyrgyzstan–United Kingdom relations

thumb|right|[[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary David Cameron with Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev in Bishkek, April 2024.]]

Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 12 June 1992.

Kyrgyzstan maintains an embassy in London.
The UK is accredited to Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Bishkek.

Both countries share common membership of the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership.

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|||||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.

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|||||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. In 2020, with the assistance of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Program Office in Kyrgyzstan, the Analytical Center of the Counter Narcotic Service of the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic was established to combat drug trafficking.

Diplomatic relations

See also

References