Today, June 8, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security and Migration Chingiz Aidarbekov met with the Japanese parliamentary delegation headed by the Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Taro Honda. The event was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Maeda Shigeki.

The parties expressed mutual interest in the comprehensive development and expansion of bilateral cooperation, including the maintenance of a permanent Kyrgyz-Japanese inter-parliamentary dialogue, the exchange of official parliamentary delegations as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

An exchange of views also took place on the issues of cooperation between the two countries in the implementation of joint projects in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, including within the framework of the activities of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS).

Chingiz Aidarbekov stressed that the Kyrgyz-Japanese cooperation is actively developing in all areas, adding that the visit of parliamentary delegations will give an additional impetus to the deepening and expansion of inter-parliamentary relations. “Kyrgyzstan highly appreciates Japan's contribution to the development of our country and is interested in continuing fruitful Kyrgyz-Japanese cooperation. Maintaining and further developing relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and Japan, including inter-parliamentary relations, remains among the priorities and important areas in the framework of interaction between the two countries,” he said.

Gratitude was also expressed to the Japanese side for systematic assistance in various areas, including advisory assistance on the development of parliamentarism and technical assistance in improving the electoral system of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Concerning the issue of building up trade and economic ties, the Chairman of the Committee pointed to the great potential for cooperation in the field of business, especially in expanding the investments of Japanese companies in the Kyrgyz Republic. “For its part, the Jogorku Kenesh is ready to provide comprehensive assistance, including on improving the economic legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic and creating favorable conditions for investors. We are open to proposals from the Japanese side and are ready to discuss all aspects of cooperation with the Parliament and the business community of Japan in the format of videoconferencing,” Ch. Aidarbekov suggested, emphasizing the success of the First Kyrgyz-Japanese Inter-Parliamentary Forum held in 2018.

In addition, the deputy proposed the idea of ​​jointly opening a Kyrgyz-Japanese higher educational institution for the training of highly qualified personnel in the field of subsoil use, energy, environmental safety, and the development of alternative energy sources. The chairman added that the opening of such an institution would contribute to the strengthening and deepening of bilateral cooperation in the humanitarian and educational sphere. The Chairman of the Committee proposed to consider the possibility of assisting the Kyrgyz Republic in the introduction of assisted reproductive technologies - IVF within the framework of the human resources development program.

In turn, the Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Taro Honda, highly appreciated the relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and Japan and dwelled in detail on the positive developments in bilateral cooperation, and also touched upon the organization of events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The head of the Japanese delegation expressed his readiness to work through the proposals.