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:

#CountryDate[1]
1  Turkey23 December 1991
2  Australia26 December 1991
3  United States27 December 1991
4  Albania4 January 1992
5  China5 January 1992
6  Egypt9 January 1992
7  North Korea21 January 1992
8  Japan26 January 1992
9  South Africa26 January 1992
10  South Korea31 January 1992
11  Germany3 February 1992
12  Poland10 February 1992
13   Switzerland14 February 1992
14  Canada17 February 1992
15  Cyprus20 February 1992
16  France28 February 1992
17  Bangladesh3 March 1992
18  Israel4 March 1992
19  India18 March 1992
20  Cuba20 March 1992
21  Russia20 March 1992
22  Finland23 March 1992
23  Italy24 March 1992
24  Austria25 March 1992
25  Belgium25 March 1992
26  Sweden25 March 1992
27  Madagascar26 March 1992
28  Mexico27 March 1992
29  Malaysia2 April 1992
30  Spain3 April 1992
31  Hungary16 April 1992
32  Mongolia22 April 1992
33  Philippines22 April 1992
34  Denmark8 May 1992
35  Iran10 May 1992
36  Pakistan10 May 1992
37  Oman18 May 1992
38  Bulgaria20 May 1992
39  Luxembourg26 May 1992
40  Vietnam4 June 1992
41  Netherlands10 June 1992
42  Greece12 June 1992
43  United Kingdom12 June 1992
44  Romania15 June 1992
45  Ghana26 June 1992
46  Morocco26 June 1992
47  Norway26 June 1992
48  Georgia10 July 1992
49  Lithuania23 July 1992
50  Thailand6 August 1992
51  Portugal18 August 1992
 Holy See27 August 1992
52  Singapore27 August 1992
53  New Zealand7 September 1992
54  Ukraine18 September 1992
55  Argentina6 October 1992
56  Turkmenistan9 October 1992
57  Kazakhstan15 October 1992
58  Saudi Arabia19 October 1992
59  Moldova30 October 1992
60  Mali5 November 1992
61  Tunisia25 November 1992
62  Czech Republic1 January 1993
63  Slovakia1 January 1993
64  Armenia9 January 1993
65  Chad11 January 1993
66  Tajikistan14 January 1993
67  Azerbaijan19 January 1993
68  Belarus21 January 1993
69  Guatemala10 February 1993
70  Jordan10 February 1993
71  Uzbekistan16 February 1993
72  Malta19 February 1993
73  Libya25 February 1993
74  Latvia18 March 1993
75    Nepal26 March 1993
76  Indonesia5 April 1993
77  Bosnia and Herzegovina23 April 1993
78  Syria28 May 1993
79  Brazil6 August 1993
80  Uruguay13 August 1993
81  Maldives31 August 1993
82  Zambia17 September 1993
83  Colombia6 October 1993
84  Slovenia19 January 1994
85  North Macedonia7 June 1994
86  Kuwait17 December 1994
87  Samoa14 February 1995
88  Cambodia20 March 1995
89  Laos13 June 1995
 State of Palestine12 September 1995
90  Bahrain9 February 1996
91  Brunei15 March 1996
92  Estonia12 April 1996
93  United Arab Emirates1 August 1996
94  Sri Lanka19 August 1996
95  Algeria21 December 1996
96  Croatia23 December 1996
97  Yemen20 May 1997
98  Qatar3 March 1998
99  Serbia25 June 1998
100  Peru2 January 1999
101  Chile9 August 1999
102  Liechtenstein16 September 1999
103  Afghanistan12 November 1999
104  Jamaica25 February 2000
105  Ireland23 June 2000
106  Gambia30 June 2000
107  Namibia29 November 2000
108  Kenya12 December 2000
109  Iceland2 April 2001
110  Costa Rica24 September 2001
111  Myanmar9 November 2001
112  San Marino20 September 2004
113  Benin29 January 2009
114  Montenegro24 June 2009
115  Senegal2 April 2010
116  Dominican Republic30 June 2011
117  Tuvalu14 September 2011
118  Paraguay23 May 2012
119  Fiji14 February 2014
120  Eritrea27 February 2014
121  Seychelles5 March 2014
122  Uganda19 March 2014
123  Andorra26 September 2014
124  Solomon Islands22 December 2014
125  Djibouti3 June 2015
126  Guinea8 September 2015
127  Ivory Coast25 September 2015
128  Sudan26 September 2015
129  Mauritania30 September 2015
130  Togo30 September 2015
131  Iraq5 November 2015
132  Republic of the Congo3 February 2016
133  El Salvador17 March 2016
134  Mauritius16 June 2016
135  Liberia17 June 2016
136  Ethiopia23 July 2016
137  Guyana23 September 2016
138  Suriname23 September 2016
139  Dominica17 October 2016
140  Sierra Leone1 November 2016
141  Central African Republic21 November 2016
142  Ecuador13 December 2016
143  Marshall Islands22 December 2016
144  Monaco9 March 2017
145  Nicaragua7 July 2017
146  Lesotho20 July 2017
147  Lebanon29 July 2017
148  Burundi23 November 2017
149  Zimbabwe8 December 2017
150  Equatorial Guinea7 June 2018
151  Saint Kitts and Nevis8 June 2018
152  Venezuela28 September 2018
153  Federated States of Micronesia30 October 2018
154  Bolivia30 May 2019
155  Grenada3 June 2019
156  Cabo Verde26 September 2019
157  Kiribati26 September 2019
158  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines26 September 2019
159  Vanuatu26 September 2019
160  Cameroon27 September 2019
161  Mozambique27 September 2019
162  Nauru30 January 2020
163  Antigua and Barbuda3 June 2021
164  Panama24 September 2021
165  Palau7 October 2021
166  Malawi23 September 2022
167  Tonga7 December 2022
168  Rwanda13 December 2022
169  Saint Lucia20 September 2023

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
 ArmeniaJanuary 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.
 ChinaSee 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]

 Croatia23 December 1996
 Cyprus20 February 1992
 Estonia1996
 FinlandSee Finland–Kyrgyzstan relations
 Georgia
 Greece1992See 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]
 India18 March 1992See 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.

 IranSee 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.

 Japan26 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]

 KazakhstanSee 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]

 Latvia18 March 1993
 Lithuania3 July 1992
 MalaysiaSee Kyrgyzstan–Malaysia relations

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

 Malta19 February 1993
 Mexico14 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 Korea30 January 1992
 Pakistan20 December 1991See Kyrgyzstan–Pakistan relations

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

 PolandSee Kyrgyzstan–Poland relations
 Romania15 June 1992
 RussiaSee 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]

 Serbia1998
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1998.[32]
  • In 2011, the total trade value amounted EUR 3,5 million.[32]
 South Korea31 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]

 SpainSee Kyrgyzstan–Spain relations
  Switzerland1993

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993.[35]

 TajikistanSee 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.

 TurkeyJan. 29, 1992[36]See Kyrgyzstan–Turkey relations
 TurkmenistanSee 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 KingdomSee Kyrgyzstan–United Kingdom relations
  • Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in London.
  • United Kingdom has an embassy in Bishkek.
 United StatesSee 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.
 UzbekistanSee 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

References