Strengthening the political dialogue and strategic partnership of the Kyrgyz Republic with leading allies and partners

• After the election of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the working visits of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov to the Russian Federation (February 24-25, Moscow) and (May 24-25, Sochi) took place, which became additional confirmation of the development of interstate cooperation between the two countries in the spirit of allied relations and strategic partnership that meets the long-term interests of both countries.
• On March 2-3, 2021, the state visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov to the Republic of Kazakhstan was made, during which the Heads of State held negotiations, discussing topical issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, as well as further prospects for joint interaction. As a result of the meetings, the heads of state adopted a Joint Statement emphasizing the centuries-old closeness of the two peoples.
• On March 11-12, the state visit of the head of state S. Zhaparov to the Republic of Uzbekistan took place, during which more than twenty bilateral documents were signed aimed at deepening cooperation, including the Agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Development Fund.
• On June 9-11, the official visit of the head of state S. Zhaparov to Turkey took place, during which bilateral negotiations were held within the 5th meeting of the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. The leaders of the two countries discussed the current state and prospects of the Kyrgyz-Turkish bilateral and multilateral cooperation, topical issues of cooperation in trade, economic, military-technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres. As a result of the talks, a number of bilateral documents aimed at deepening joint cooperation were signed.
• On November 11-12, President S. Japarov paid an official visit to Turkey, during which they discussed the prospects for investment and industrial cooperation, the development of public-private partnerships, cooperation in the agricultural sector, mining and light industry, hydropower and other industries. During the visit, the head of state S. Zhaparov, along with other leaders of the Turkic Council, took part in the opening ceremony of the new headquarters of the CCTS Secretariat in Istanbul, and during the eighth CCTS Summit held bilateral negotiations with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayip Erdogan. During the talks, topical issues of strengthening cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres were discussed, and plans for interaction for the near future were outlined.
• On June 27-28, the official visit of President S. Zhaparov to Turkmenistan took place, following which the heads of state signed a Joint Statement. Members of the official delegations of the two countries signed a number of documents aimed at building up Kyrgyz-Turkmen cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, educational and other fields.
• On June 28-29, during the official visit of the head of state S. Zhaparov to the Republic of Tajikistan, the leaders of the countries discussed topical issues on the bilateral agenda, cooperation in ensuring security in the border areas and interaction in the field of combating external threats within the framework of regional and international organizations. The main attention was directed to the discussion of issues of delimitation and demarcation of the line of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border.

Foreign policy initiatives of Kyrgyzstan of international importance

• On April 16, 2021, at the plenary session of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, the resolution "Nature knows no boundaries: Transboundary cooperation is a key factor in the conservation and use of biodiversity" was unanimously adopted by the Kyrgyz Republic. This document is one of the few specialized UN documents covering the issues of transboundary interaction between the UN Member States in the field of ecology, which is currently becoming increasingly important at the international, regional and bilateral levels. The adoption of the resolution on a unanimous basis and the inclusion of 60 countries of the world among its co-sponsors is a recognition of the relevance of the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic and confirmation of the international community's support for Kyrgyzstan in promoting issues of combating climate change, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The resolution became an organic continuation of the highly appreciated successful initiatives of Kyrgyzstan in the field of ecology, such as the conservation of the snow leopard, the sustainable development of mountain regions, the creation of the Group of Friends of Mountain Countries at the UN in New York and other areas.
• On November 23, 2021, at the meeting of the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO, the Member States unanimously supported the adoption of the resolution "Expanding monitoring and research of mountain glaciers", initiated by the Kyrgyz Republic and announced by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov at the General Debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021 in New York. The main goal of the resolution is to strengthen international cooperation on monitoring and research of mountain glaciers and permafrost through joint actions to provide future generations with a safe and stable environment based on the principles of sustainable development and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
• On December 16, 2021, at its plenary session, the UN General Assembly, at the initiative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov, declared 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development. More than 93 UN member states joined this resolution, unanimously adopted by the General Assembly, as co-sponsors. The adopted document invites Member States, organizations of the UN system, other international organizations and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector and academia, to appropriately mark the International Year in order to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable mountain development, as well as conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems. The resolution was put forward on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of Mountains and the First Global Mountain Summit, which adopted the Bishkek Mountain Declaration.

Promotion of cooperation of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union

On August 19-20, 2021, a regular meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council was held in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting was attended by the heads of government of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz as observers (via videoconferencing).

As a result, a number of documents were signed, including a "road map" for the implementation of the main directions and stages of the implementation of the coordinated transport policy of the Union countries for 2021-2023 and a "road map" for the formation of a common market for organic agricultural products within the EAEU.

Promoting cooperation with the European Union: First Economic Forum "European Union-Central Asia"

The first EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Bishkek is the largest political event in the field of economics held in 2021, as well as Kyrgyzstan's diplomatic breakthrough both in the CA region and in cooperation with the European Union.

The forum was held on November 5, 2021 at the level of the heads of government of the Central Asian countries and the Executive Vice President of the European Commission V. Dombrovskis. The successful holding of the Forum in Bishkek can serve as its transformation into a new platform for interregional economic dialogue with the EU.

The institutionalization of the Forum as a permanent platform will provide an opportunity for representatives of the governments of Central Asian countries, Europe and economic operators to intensify bilateral trade and investment, including by promoting the creation of an enabling environment for business in Central Asia.

Creation and launch of development funds

On August 18, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov signed the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund, signed on March 11, 2021”. The Fund will finance self-sustaining projects in priority sectors of the economy of Kyrgyzstan by providing loans, participation in capital and using other financial instruments in relations with business entities registered and operating in the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The Fund will be an international organization with an authorized capital of $50 million, which is contributed by Uzbekistan, with a subsequent increase in the authorized capital to $200 million.

• On November 5, 2021, on the sidelines of the First EU-CA Economic Forum, the official opening of the Hungarian-Kyrgyz Development Fund with an authorized capital of $16.0 million took place. The agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of Hungary on the establishment of the Hungarian-Kyrgyz Development Fund was signed ( April 8, 2021) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Kazakbaev and the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Foreign Affairs of Hungary P. Szijjarto. As the implementation of economic projects at the expense of the Fund, the authorized capital will be increased by the Hungarian side to 50.0 million dollars.
• the issues of establishing the CCTS Investment Fund with an office in the Kyrgyz Republic, the Kyrgyz-Italian Development Fund, the Kyrgyz-Turkish Development Fund, the Kyrgyz-Azerbaijan Development Fund and the Kyrgyz-Emirates Investment Fund for Infrastructure Development are being worked out.

Participation in the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

From October 31 to November 11, 2021 in Glasgow (UK), the Kyrgyz delegation headed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov took part in the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-26).

On the sidelines of the Summit, President S. ZHaparov held bilateral meetings with the leaders of a number of countries: President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Iceland Catherine Jakobsdouttir, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, President of France Emmanuel Macron , Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, President of Sri Lanka Gotabay Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida. In addition, meetings were held with President of the Islamic Development Bank Muhammad bin Suleiman Al Jassir, President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso and Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Yannick Glemaric. In addition, S. Zhaparov met with Facebook Global Sustainability Director Edward Palmieri, and then spoke live with an appeal to the people of Kyrgyzstan in the pavilion of this largest social network.

Participation confirmed the commitment of Kyrgyzstan to the goals of the Paris Agreement and emphasized the importance for the country of international cooperation in solving the problem of climate change, made it possible to draw the attention of the world community, international donors, financial institutions and climate / environmental funds to the negative consequences of climate change in Kyrgyzstan, initiatives and national plans of the republic on contribution to the containment of global warming and adaptation to climate change, as well as to the investment potential of Kyrgyzstan.

On the margins of COP-26, the presentation of the updated NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Paris Agreement took place. This document will serve as a basis for dialogue with development partners when attracting climate finance to our country.

Expansion of the geography of diplomatic missions of the Kyrgyz Republic abroad

In order to deepen international cooperation and expand geographical coverage in efforts to protect the rights and interests of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic abroad, the Decrees of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Zhaparov established the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Hungary and the Consulates General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Antalya and Chicago, USA . As part of the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Kazakbayev to Hungary and Italy, official opening ceremonies of the embassies of the Kyrgyz Republic in Hungary (November 4) and Italy (November 9) were held. In turn, the Italian side plans to open its diplomatic mission in Bishkek in the near future, as well as to intensify trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties with the Kyrgyz Republic.

Advances in the field of visa policy

In order to improve the tourist and investment attractiveness of the country, the list of states whose citizens are granted a visa-free regime for visiting Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days has been supplemented by the following states: the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the State of Israel, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Romania, Kingdom of Thailand, United Mexican States. In addition, a visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been unilaterally introduced for citizens of foreign states - holders of UN passports.

Thus, at present, a visa-free regime is provided for citizens of 61 countries of the world.

Progress in the field of optimizing the processes for providing consular services abroad and protecting the rights and interests of citizens, as well as improving the conditions for the stay of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic abroad.

• In 2021, procedures for documenting citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic abroad were simplified, tariffs for consular services were reduced, which made it possible to improve the quality and optimize consular services for citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic abroad.
• A change in the systematic approach to regulating the issues of repatriation of the bodies of dead citizens to their homeland has been worked out, according to which all expenses for transporting the bodies of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic who died abroad are covered by the state.
• The acceptance of documents for the issuance of an ID-card, a general civil biometric passport of a new sample, has begun. Citizens abroad have the opportunity to receive social and legal certificates from the state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic.
• The development, regulatory and legal consolidation and installation of the AIS "SVR" and "Reclamation" have been completed, as a result of which a citizen who is abroad is issued a certificate of return to his homeland and issued immediately at the time of admission.

In addition, as part of the work on the return of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic who are (in difficult situations) in foreign countries to their homeland, the following has been worked out:

• Government humanitarian mission "Meerim" to Iraq, as a result of which on March 16, 2021 79 children - citizens of Kyrgyzstan were repatriated to the Kyrgyz Republic. This humanitarian mission, aimed at saving children who are in an extremely dangerous situation for life and health and who have the right to protection from the state, is the first repatriation event of this nature and scale. As part of a whole range of measures, including serious preparatory work for repatriation, after lengthy negotiations with the Iraqi side. At the end of February 2021, an advanced working group of diplomatic staff, representatives of the Government and other competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic was sent to the Republic of Iraq on a humanitarian mission to carry out relevant activities to prepare for the return of children to their homeland. The repatriation of children became possible thanks to the political will of the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic, the coordination of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the well-coordinated interaction of the state bodies of the country in the field of foreign affairs, health and social development, law enforcement agencies, the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Kuwait, as well as significant assistance from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) . All measures have been taken for their speedy rehabilitation, reintegration and return to a safe peaceful life.
• In August 2021, with the help of partner countries, 36 citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic were evacuated from Afghanistan to their homeland.
• The repatriation of 16 young children left without parental care in foreign countries in the Kyrgyz Republic has been worked out.

Attracting humanitarian aid to the Kyrgyz Republic

In 2021, in order to counter the further spread of the COVID-19 virus infection in the Kyrgyz Republic and to assist in the provision of medicines and appropriate personal protective equipment, work was carried out to attract coronavirus vaccines to the country (Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Pfizer, Moderna, etc.) , PCR tests, reagents, personal protective equipment, humanitarian and other assistance in accordance with the needs and needs of the country (for information: according to the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, at the beginning of 2022, the following types of vaccines were received in the Kyrgyz Republic: Sinopharm - 4,150,000 doses, Sputnik V - 120,000 doses, AstraZeneca - 549,760 doses, Kazvak - 25,000 doses, Pfizer - 308,880 doses, Sputnik Light - 200,000 doses, Sinovak - 150,000 doses, Moderna - 115,200 doses).

The amount of humanitarian aid attracted to the Kyrgyz Republic during 2021 was approximately 287,443,916 soms.

As part of the implementation of the Action Plan, approved by the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic “On priority measures for the restoration and development of border villages of the Batken region” dated May 4, 2021 No. 113, assistance was provided in attracting financial and humanitarian assistance, which approximately amounted to 1,254,770,419 soms.

Positive assessment by the world community of referendums, presidential and parliamentary elections in the Kyrgyz Republic

 

Following the results of the early elections of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the referendum on determining the form of government on January 10, 2021, the will of the voters was the transition to the presidential form of government under the leadership of the head of state S. Zhaparov. As a result, there was a need to change the Basic Law and on April 11, 2021, elections of deputies of local keneshes and a referendum on the draft of the new Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic were held.

In addition to the results of the above elections and referenda, the holding of parliamentary elections on November 28, 2021 was the final political stage and the next most important step in creating conditions for the implementation of the planned reforms by the country's leadership, as well as for the transition to accelerated development after the October events of last year.

In order to ensure the exercise of the electoral rights of our citizens located in foreign countries, during the year 4 election events were organized and held abroad, assistance was provided in the collection of biometric data and the organization of elections abroad by opening polling stations (their number in 2021 was increased from 48 to 59) in all foreign missions of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Maximum assistance was provided in attracting international observers and accrediting international journalists. The above elections and referendums were recognized by the international community as open, competitive and transparent. The past elections have significantly contributed to strengthening the international image of Kyrgyzstan as a democratic country.