On March 11, 2020 as part of visit to Ottawa for participation in the ceremony of presenting credentials to H.E. Governor General of Canada J. Peyette, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the USA and Canada B.Otunbaev held a meeting with R.Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada and Assistant Deputy Minister M.Gort.

In the course of a detailed conversation the parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and Canada.

B. Otunbaev assured the Canadian side of the readiness of the Kyrgyz side to build bilateral relations with Canada in the long term, based on mutual respect for the interests and priorities of both countries. Diversification of economic relations, development of parliamentarism, effective public administration, digitalization, regional development and student exchange programs were mentioned as priority areas of cooperation. Given Canada's rich experience in developing the hydropower industry and sharing water resources, the Kyrgyz side expressed its request to study experience in this area.

Canadian side positively noted the achievements of the Kyrgyz Republic in strengthening democracy and freedom of speech, noted the cooperation between the countries in the mining industry and expressed readiness to expand mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.