On March 12, 2022, the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell took place in Antalya.

The prospects for bilateral cooperation in various fields, including agreements on the elaboration of practical steps to organize events at the levels of the KG-EU and EU-CA were discussed during the conversation. Particular attention is paid to the preparation of a high-level visit and the signing of an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which should form the legal basis for further cooperation.

The parties also exchanged views on the international agenda, including the situation in Ukraine.

The Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev noted that the Kyrgyz Republic has friendly relations with both the Russian and Ukrainian peoples and following the development of the situation in Ukraine with great concern. He stressed that Kyrgyzstan is against the division of the world and violation of the principle of indivisibility of security.

Noted that since the first days of the conflict, the Kyrgyz side has been in the side of an exclusively peaceful settlement of the situation through political and diplomatic negotiations and calls on the parties to seek for new mechanisms and formats of dialogue in case the existing formats have ceased to work.

The head of the Foreign Ministry of the Kyrgyz Republic called for an earliest de-escalation of the conflict in order to avoid further civilian casualties. Emphasizing the importance of establishing a permanent channel of contact between the parties of the conflict, Kyrgyzstan welcomes the meeting of the heads of the foreign ministries of Russia and Ukraine on March 10 in Antalya by the mediation of the Republic of Turkey. In turn, the Kyrgyz side, based on its positive experience of mediation, also expressed its readiness, if necessary, to provide a platform for negotiations.

Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev noted that further escalation of tension in the world, including by means of mutual sanctions, could cause negative economic and humanitarian consequences for all countries in the region, including Kyrgyzstan.

High Representative Josep Borrell, in turn, shared his concern about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, noted the importance of a ceasefire and the need to ensure a humanitarian corridor.

The head of European diplomacy confirmed the firm commitment of the European Union to the development of relations with Kyrgyzstan.

The Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, noting the possible indirect impact of sanctions on third countries, informed about the readiness of the EU to consider ways to mitigate their consequences for the Central Asian states.