The official visit of Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Zhaparov to the Russian Federation, which took place on October 19 - 21 this year, was an important step in strengthening the historical and traditionally friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. This visit contributed to the expansion of mutually beneficial economic cooperation, especially in the transport, trade, educational, cultural and health sectors.
The visit of the head of the Kyrgyz government is special because it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region. Also, as part of the official visit, the Days of Kyrgyz Culture in Russia were held.
This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formation of Kyrgyzstan as the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region - the revival of the once lost Kyrgyz statehood. The path to its revival was long and difficult and was accompanied by intense political struggle.
The result of the efforts of our prominent figures - the statehood, gained in 1924, united the lands of the Kyrgyz people and the Kyrgyz themselves, scattered across separate regions of the Turkestan ASSR, into one whole. The prerequisites were created for the more rapid development of the territories united into a new state entity, for the preservation and use of the native language in public administration, as well as for the transformation into an autonomous republic. "The existence of our current state was the result of the wisdom and heroism of our great ancestors, who from ancient times, like the apple of their eye, protected and preserved the Kyrgyz land. During its long historical path, the Kyrgyz state has been strengthened and then divided, without losing its worthy place in Central Asia,” says the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region” dated October 24, 2023.
During the official visit, Akylbek Zhaparov was accompanied by the entire cabinet of ministers, authorized representatives of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the regions, as well as heads of state agencies.
The head of the Cabinet of Ministers was greeted on Russian soil in a very grand manner. The flags of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation were hung at the airport, and an honor guard company was posted. After mutual greetings, the national anthems of both countries were played, and the honor guard company marched in a ceremonial march accompanied by a military orchestra.
As part of the official visit, Akylbek Zhaparov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, as well as members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the two countries, took part in the opening ceremony of the Days of Culture of Kyrgyzstan in Russia.
The official part of the event began with a video address by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.
The leaders of the two states expressed words of congratulations on the occasion of the significant event and noted that cooperation in the field of culture between the two peoples remains an important aspect of friendship between Kyrgyzstan and Russia, and also stated that close cooperation will continue to strengthen.
Deputy Cabinet of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov noted that it was in 1924 that the beginning of our new statehood was laid in the history of the Kyrgyz people. We are very proud and reverent about our history, and, of course, we remember very well the decades of literature and art of Kyrgyzstan, which were also held in Moscow in 1939. A similar event was held in 1958.
Edil Baisalov noted that the delegation from Kyrgyzstan, on behalf of the head of state Sadyr Zhaparov and at the invitation of the Russian government, is here as part of the official visit of the head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet Akylbek Zhaparov to the Russian Federation. October 20, 2024 has already become a historical event not only in the history of our culture, but also in our new history of the state.
Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev said that a number of key issues of bilateral cooperation will be addressed during the official visit. “The agenda is very extensive. This is the first official visit of the head of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to Russia. And the Russian side paid special attention to this visit, and all protocol measures were fully observed by them. The negotiations within the framework of this visit were very active. The parties discussed there issues of increasing the volume of trade between the two countries, increasing transit links and attracting investments to Kyrgyzstan.
"Currently, Kyrgyzstan and Russia cooperate in almost all areas, including green economy, preservation of mountain systems and development of education, which were noted at the level of heads of state. The executive authorities of the two countries are actively working in this direction. I would like to note that this official visit is very important and is designed to expand cooperation in all sectors of interaction and increase the possibilities of trade turnover and investment of the two countries," said Kulubaev. A roadmap has been adopted at the interstate level, which will strengthen economic cooperation and realize the potential in those sectors where joint efforts will yield tangible results.
Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Daniyar Amangeldiev said that in addition to the Roadmap, measures were taken to strengthen relations in the cultural, humanitarian and investment spheres, as well as in mutual settlements. A number of measures were aimed at increasing our mutual trade turnover by creating projects in the field of industrial cooperation. The parties agreed to further increase mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas.
Akylbek Zhhaparov, having laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden, went to a joint meeting of the governments.
The head of the Russian government Mikhail Mishustin noted that Russia and Kyrgyzstan maintain regular communication and work along the lines of the EAEU, CIS and SCO. “Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is developing at a good pace. In the first 8 months of this year, trade turnover increased by 16%. The share of the ruble in mutual settlements reached almost 90%. Russia and Kyrgyzstan have great potential for increasing cooperation, primarily in the financial sector, agriculture, energy, transport, and there is also a large field in the field of digital technologies. Bilateral cooperation is not limited to the economic agenda. We pay special attention to humanitarian ties - this is the foundation for strengthening friendly, good-neighborly and truly fraternal relations between our countries,” he said.
Akylbek Zhaparov noted that the friendship of the Kyrgyz and Russian peoples has been tempered over the centuries, has gone through difficult trials, showing many examples of devotion and loyalty. The head of the Cabinet also noted the common sacred victory over the brown plague of the twentieth century - fascism. “During the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War, the Kyrgyz, shoulder to shoulder with the Russians and other peoples of the USSR, selflessly fought for the freedom and independence of our common homeland. Through these difficult trials, our peoples were bound together by millions of threads of human destinies. Kyrgyzstan, like Russia, very carefully and reverently treats the memory of the events of the Great Patriotic War, and is enthusiastically preparing for the anniversary date - the 80th anniversary of the Victory over fascism.
Kyrgyzstan and Russia agreed not to slow down the pace of common efforts to increase bilateral trade and bring its volume to $5 billion, as instructed by the heads of the two states,” he said
At the joint meeting, significant results demonstrated by the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund were also noted. To date, the Fund has financed about 3,500 projects worth about 750 million US dollars.
One of the important results of the meeting was the signing of five bilateral documents aimed at further deepening cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia:
- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of health care, medical education and science.
- Protocol on amendments to the agreement between the governments of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation on international automobile communication dated April 16, 2002.
- Agreement on information exchange between the Social Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation in the field of pension provision.
- Memorandum between the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation on cooperation in improving the financial literacy of the population.
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on the development of cooperation in the training and retraining of personnel in the transport sector.
The visit became an important milestone in the development of Kyrgyz-Russian relations, confirming the deep and friendly ties between the two countries.