On September 9, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted a regular video conference of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ruslan Kazakbaev, with activists of the Kyrgyz diaspora and fellow citizens living in the Siberian and Ural federal districts of the Russian Federation.

The meeting was also attended by representatives and employees of the Consular Service Department, the External Migration Department, the First Political Department of the Central Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Yekaterinburg, and the Consulate General in Novosibirsk.

The main purpose of the online meeting was to discuss pressing issues and problems faced by our fellow citizens residing and working in the Siberian and Ural federal districts of the Russian Federation.

In his opening speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Kazakbaev took the opportunity to express his deep gratitude to the participants of the online conference for their active position and strong support during the election of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution and noted that one of the most important tasks the country's leadership faces today is aimed at protecting the rights and interests of citizens living abroad and working to return compatriots to their homeland. In this context, R. Kazakbaev acknowledged the relevant Decree "On the adoption of measures aimed at improving the migration situation" of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, S.N. Japarov. 

Addressing the leaders, activists and representatives of Kyrgyz public organizations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed their significant contribution to improving the economic and social situation in the country. In addition, he stressed that the Kyrgyz diasporas abroad, being a bridge of interethnic and interstate interaction of our republic with other countries, play a big role in strengthening unity and friendship, admirably representing the history, traditions, language and culture of the Kyrgyz people.

Minister R. Kazakbaev also informed the participants of the work carried out by the Ministry together with the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic in expanding the list of documents issued abroad, reducing their registration time, reducing the cost of consular services and their transition into a digital format.

During the video conference, Kyrgyzstan citizens, including representatives of diaspora organizations, voiced questions regarding the repatriation of bodies of citizens who passed away abroad to the Kyrgyz Republic, health insurance for family members of migrant workers and the removal of Kyrgyz citizens from the list of persons who are temporarily not allowed to enter the territory of the Russian Federation.

In particular, it was noted that during the work of the commission from August 18 to August 31, 2021, to cover the costs of repatriating the bodies of Kyrgyz citizens who died abroad, one-time payments were made for 138 case materials for a total amount of more than 10 million soms, of which 3 case materials have been paid for at the Consulate General In the Kyrgyz Republic in Yekaterinburg for a total of 210 thousand soms, and 8 case materials were paid for at the Consulate General in Novosibirsk, amounting to a total of 560 thousand soms.

At the meeting, attention was drawn to the fact that as of today, 74 thousand citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic have been banned from entering the territory of the Russian Federation, most of which have been banned from entering the Russian Federation by a court decision.

Since court decisions cannot be reversed by political decisions on migration amnesties, citizens who are on the blacklist to enter the Russian Federation must either wait for the expiration date of the ban or appeal the decision in court if there are appropriate grounds for appeal.

Regarding the issue of health insurance of family members of a migrant worker, citizens were informed that the Embassy sent another official appeal to the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, A.M. Murashko, as well as a note from the Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation with a request to assist in the execution of the provisions of the Agreement in terms of issuing a policy of compulsory medical insurance (CMI) to family members of working citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic. A response from the Russian side is expected.

In addition, it was noted that the draft regulation of the "Meken-Kart" national initiative, which allows compatriots with foreign citizenship to have equal rights with citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, in addition to electoral rights, was submitted to the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic for further consideration.

During the meeting, citizens expressed their readiness both to attract investments and to invest in projects in Kyrgyzstan themselves and to promote the development of economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. In addition, they asked the Minister to expand the geography of the Consulates of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Russian Federation and increase the number of consuls and lawyers.

In turn, the Minister indicated that the Ministry of Investments was created in order to develop the economic potential of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Sixth Political Department began its work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose tasks are to promote economic diplomacy. In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted the relevance of the Decree "On the protection of property and support for entrepreneurs and investors" of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, S.N. Japarov. Minister R. Kazakbaev made statements regarding the increase in the number of employees and the expansion of the geography of consular districts, noting that this issue, as well as others raised at the online meeting, will be taken under control.

At the end of the meeting, the participants stressed the importance and relevance of the meetings, which are being held in this format for the first time, thanked the Minister for organizing them, and expressed their hope for further continuance of meetings.

In turn, Minister R. Kazakbaev thanked our fellow citizens for their active participation and noted positive responses to meetings in this format from citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic living abroad. In this context, the Minister drew attention to the importance of feedback and assured that such meetings will continue with our citizens living in the Russian Federation, the USA, Turkey and other countries.