Kyrgyzstan International Affairs - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kyrgyzstan Criticizes Russia’s Approach to Migration

Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, voiced frustration over Russia’s approach to labor migration during an interview with Russian media. He criticized Moscow for failing to fully honor the principle of free movement of labor within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Kyrgyzstan is a member. “Free movement of labor resources is one of the principles of the Eurasian Economic Union. Our fundamental documents state that we have access to the labor market on the same basis as citizens of any member state. Thousands of Russians work for us on the same terms as Kyrgyz,” Baisalov stated. Despite these agreements, he claimed that Kyrgyz workers often face restrictions and criticisms in Russia akin to those applied to migrants from non-EAEU countries. “People, including seasonal workers, may stay for weeks or months. Some have relocated to Russia with their families and work as doctors, teachers, scientists, and professors. Our migrants significantly contribute to various sectors of Russia’s modern economy, particularly in the service industry—hotels, cafes, and more. Every penny earned by Kyrgyz migrants in the Russian Federation comes at the cost of incredible effort,” he said. Baisalov highlighted that these challenges are prompting Kyrgyz labor migrants to seek opportunities in other nations, such as South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Turkey, and EU countries. “Tens of thousands of our women have found their calling in Italy, where elderly care is in high demand. It turns out there’s no better choice than our caregivers and nannies. We even opened an embassy in Italy because nearly 30,000 Kyrgyz citizens reside in Naples and on the island of Sardinia,” he explained. In light of these trends, the Kyrgyz government has pledged to create 250,000 new jobs within the country in the coming year. A campaign is also underway to encourage citizens working abroad to return home.

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Putin in Kazakhstan: Language Diplomacy, Treaty Fine Print and a Hack

Geopolitical tensions, finding common ground on oil and gas transportation and deliveries and Russia’s hopes of beating out rivals to build Kazakhstan´s first nuclear power plant. These were some of the big ticket themes framing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to the Central Asian nation last week. The Times of Central Asia looks at a few other things that happened on the sidelines: A Tale of Two Languages “Kazakhstan is practically a Russian-speaking country, which you have probably had a chance to see for yourself.” Putin was extolling close ties between Russia and Kazakhstan when he made that remark to journalists in Astana last week. But the comment also drew attention to how Kazakhstan uses the Kazakh language to express national identity and independence from a past controlled by Moscow. In November 2023, during an earlier visit by Putin to Astana, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke in Kazakh rather than Russian, causing senior Russian officials to reach somewhat hurriedly for their earpieces to get the translation. While Russia and Kazakhstan share a long land border and are bound by deep economic and security ties, Tokayev’s semantic switch seemed to be a reminder that Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic and Russian imperial territory, would follow its own path. Last week, both leaders went out of their way to emphasize linguistic harmony, even if tensions sometimes emerge over Kazakhstan’s increasing promotion of the Kazakh language. There is a significant ethnic Russian minority living in Kazakhstan. “One third of schoolchildren in our country are educated in Russian. We attach special importance to this issue. It is for this reason that I proposed the creation of the International Russian Language Organization,” Tokayev said. Putin thanked Tokayev for backing the use of the Russian language, “widely and freely,” in Kazakhstan. He said there are plans to open three Russian language schools in Kazakhstan, with Russian government support. Some social media posts claimed there was a diplomatic dustup between the two leaders, showing video of Putin´s “Russian-speaking country” remark followed by Tokayev speaking in Kazakh in an apparent pushback. However, the video appears to be spliced from different events. Putin is shown standing; Tokayev is seated. Furthermore, the Kremlin transcript shows that Putin made the remark at a solo news conference. That’s What It Says, But… The treaty of a regional security group that includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Belarus and Armenia says members must provide military and other help to any member subjected to “aggression by any state or group of states.” Does that mean members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO, should get behind Russia in its war against Western-backed Ukraine? After all, Putin says Russia is a target of Ukrainian and Western aggression, even if some dispute the assertion because he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin was asked the question on Thursday after a state visit to Kazakhstan and a meeting of the regional security group in Astana. Each security group member “stands ready to act in accordance with...

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Kyrgyzstan’s Airlines Could Be Removed from EU Blacklist in 2025

Kyrgyzstan’s airlines may soon achieve a significant milestone by being removed from the European Union’s Air Safety List, which currently bans them from operating flights to Europe. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov made this announcement on November 27 during a meeting in Berlin with Johan Pelissier, the head of Airbus Europe, where they discussed the future of Kyrgyzstan’s aviation sector. Japarov emphasized the government’s concerted efforts to enhance aviation safety, implement international standards, and modernize infrastructure. He expressed optimism that these measures have significantly improved the likelihood of lifting restrictions on Kyrgyz airlines. As part of these developments, Japarov highlighted the government’s support for the national carrier, Asman Airlines. Under an initial agreement with Airbus, the airline plans to lease two A320 or A321 aircraft to establish direct routes to Europe, including destinations such as Paris, Berlin, and London. This initiative marks a critical step toward integrating Kyrgyzstan into the global aviation network. Looking ahead, Kyrgyzstan aims to expand its fleet and deepen cooperation with Airbus, fostering stronger connections with the international aviation community. At the conclusion of the meeting, Japarov extended an invitation to Pelissier to visit Kyrgyzstan for further discussions with local aviation representatives. Background: A Longstanding Ban Kyrgyz airlines was added to the EU’s Air Safety List in 2006 after failing to meet international safety standards. This decision, based on assessments that the country’s legal framework did not adequately ensure flight safety, has prohibited Kyrgyz airlines from flying to EU destinations for over 18 years. The ban has had a profound impact on the aviation sector, limiting its operational scope and market reach. Efforts to address these shortcomings represent a turning point, with the potential removal from the blacklist signaling a new chapter for Kyrgyz aviation. If successful, this move could open up significant opportunities for growth and international collaboration.

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CSTO Leaders Tackle Regional Security, Nuclear Energy, and Afghan Border Concerns

Astana hosted a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), gathering heads of member states to discuss pressing regional and international issues. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council. Attendees included Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, and CSTO Secretary-General Imangali Tasmagambetov. In his address, President Tokayev highlighted the CSTO’s pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in Eurasia. “Amid modern challenges, the CSTO consistently demonstrates its relevance as a guarantor of security for all member states. Our coordinated actions, mutual trust, and support strengthen our collective ability to tackle complex and large-scale tasks. The CSTO is not merely a military partnership but a unique mechanism that unites our efforts and resources to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Tokayev stated. CSTO’s Response to Kazakhstan’s 2022 Crisis Tokayev reflected on the CSTO’s rapid deployment in January 2022, when Kazakhstan faced unrest over rising gas prices, which escalated into violent confrontations. Within 24 hours, CSTO forces were deployed to stabilize the situation. Russian troops secured strategic facilities in Almaty, while Kazakh forces restored order, marking a critical demonstration of the organization’s operational capability. Putin Unveils "Oreshnik" Missile System Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed ongoing tensions with Ukraine, signaling the potential use of the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system in response to Western-supplied long-range missiles targeting Russian territory. According to Putin, the Oreshnik has the destructive power of nuclear weapons, and can penetrate heavily fortified targets. “The temperature of the striking elements reaches 4,000 degrees. At the explosion's epicenter, everything is reduced to elementary particles, essentially turning to dust,” he explained. Putin also announced that serial production of the missile had begun, with several units ready for deployment. Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Project Discussions also turned to Kazakhstan’s plans to build its first nuclear power plant. Tokayev has proposed an international consortium, and Putin expressed Russia's willingness to participate through Rosatom, emphasizing its extensive experience with international collaborations. “Rosatom is ready to work with specialists from other countries,” Putin remarked, leaving the door open for multilateral cooperation. Armenia’s Absence and CSTO’s Future Noticeably absent from the summit was Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, following Armenia’s decision to freeze its CSTO membership earlier this year. Yerevan cited concerns over its sovereignty as the reason for the suspension. Secretary-General Tasmagambetov remained optimistic about Armenia’s return, calling it a valued ally. “This is the decision of an independent and sovereign state, which no country or organization can influence. Nevertheless, we view Armenia as an ally and hope it will return to full participation in the CSTO in the foreseeable future,” Tasmagambetov stated. Key Summit Outcomes During the session, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) also reflected on Kazakhstan's presidency in 2024, highlighting significant milestones achieved under its leadership. President Tokayev reported that approximately 60 activities were conducted within the CSTO's statutory areas of cooperation during Kazakhstan’s presidency. This included advancing coordinated approaches to key international issues in collaboration with member...

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China Constructs Vital Fertilizer Plant to Boost Agriculture in Kyrgyzstan

Construction has started on a Kyrgyz-Chinese mineral fertilizer plant in the Nookat district of southern Kyrgyzstan's Osh region. On November 25, equipment worth $15 million arrived from China to advance the project. The $260 million investment agreement for the plant was signed in May 2023 between Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Agriculture and China’s Hebei Bai Dou Jia LLC during President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to China. The project will be executed in phases, with the first phase set for completion by 2025. This initial phase aims to produce 100,000 tons of fertilizer annually. Future phases include plans for an agricultural machinery assembly plant and expanding production capacity to 500,000 tons per year. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate around 2,000 jobs. The plant is a strategic move to reduce Kyrgyzstan’s dependency on imported mineral fertilizers. Currently, the country imports most of its 286,000-ton annual demand from Uzbekistan and Russia. The new facility is poised to meet and exceed domestic needs, boosting agricultural productivity and supporting the country’s economy.

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EBRD’s Transformative Investments in Kyrgyzstan: An Interview With Hüseyin Özhan, Managing Director for Central Asia

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), established in 1991, has been working in the Kyrgyz Republic since 1992 and has invested in over 250 projects amounting to over €1 billion. TCA sat down with Hüseyin Özhan to discuss the bank’s operations in Kyrgyzstan. TCA: Could you briefly introduce the EBRD and its main objectives within Kyrgyzstan? Özhan: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is owned by 73 shareholders as well as the EU and the EIB and has been operating in Kyrgyzstan for over 30 years. During this time, we have invested in more than 250 projects, surpassing €1 billion in total investments across the country. As an international financial institution, our operations in Kyrgyzstan are guided by a country strategy jointly prepared by the EBRD and local stakeholders and approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. This year marks a significant milestone, as we have approved a new five-year country strategy outlining our priorities in Kyrgyzstan. We focus on fostering private sector growth and enhancing competition and also invest in infrastructure and sovereign-guaranteed projects. These efforts position the EBRD as one of the most influential international players in Kyrgyzstan. TCA: You mention the bank recently approved its new five-year strategy for Kyrgyzstan; could you share what this plan entails? Özhan: Our country's strategies are built on diagnostics conducted to identify transition gaps. These strategies align with the EBRD’s Strategic and Capital Framework and the Bank’s medium-term strategy and combine elements of the reform agenda and investment needs. The new strategy for Kyrgyzstan focuses on three key priorities: private sector development and competitiveness, the green economic transition with an emphasis on decarbonization and energy efficiency, and improved connectivity across the country. These priorities align closely with Kyrgyzstan’s recent reform agenda and development goals, which aim to enhance competitiveness, attract foreign investment, boost trade, and strengthen the country’s regional relevance. Decarbonization and resource efficiency are particularly critical, as Kyrgyzstan is significantly impacted by regional water scarcity. This makes sustainable water management a central focus, with numerous projects planned to support sustainable development in this sector. Additionally, developing the private sector, particularly local businesses, is vital. The EBRD works closely with the government in this regard, not only by providing funding but also through initiatives like “risk-sharing networks” and advisory programs for small businesses. These efforts help enhance productivity, relevance, and competitiveness, ensuring that Kyrgyzstan’s private sector is well-equipped to thrive in the market. TCA: How does EBRD’s mission differ from other development banks or financial institutions in the region? Özhan: Our institution has a slightly different approach to delivering our work and fostering transition in Kyrgyzstan. Unlike some other international financial institutions (IFIs) that provide budget support, the EBRD operates on a project-by-project basis and channels most of its resources to support good private-sector initiatives. A recent example of project finance is the signing of water projects in three cities in Kyrgyzstan. These sovereign lending agreements, signed with the Ministry of Finance, aim to modernize regional water...