Foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists Kyrgyzstan has close relations with other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, particularly Kazakhstan and Russia, given the historical legacy of the Soviet Union. It also has close relations with Turkey as well, given their shared heritage as Turkic languages.

While Kyrgyzstan was initially determined to stay in the ruble zone, the stringent conditions set forth by the Russian Government prompted Kyrgyzstan to introduce its own currency, the som, in May 1993. Kyrgyzstan's withdrawal from the ruble zone was done with little prior notification and initially caused tensions in the region. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan temporarily suspended trade, and Uzbekistan even introduced restrictions tantamount to economic sanctions. Both nations feared an influx of rubles and an increase in inflation. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan's hostility toward Kyrgyzstan was short-lived, and the three nations signed an agreement in January 1994 creating an economic union. This led to the relaxation of border restrictions between the nations the following month. Kyrgyzstan also has contributed to the CIS peacekeeping forces in Tajikistan.

Turkey has sought to capitalize on its cultural and ethnic links to the region and has found Kyrgyzstan receptive to cultivating bilateral relations. The Kyrgyz Republic also has experienced a dramatic increase in trade with the People's Republic of China, its southern neighbor. Kyrgyzstan has been active in furthering regional cooperation, such as joint military exercises with Uzbek and Kazakh troops.

In January 1999, a new OSCE office opened in Bishkek; on February 18, 2000, the OSCE announced that an additional office would open in Osh to assist Bishkek in carrying out its work. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the OSCE, the CIS, and the United Nations.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Kyrgyzstan maintains diplomatic relations with:

File:Diplomatic relations of Kyrgyzstan.svg
#	Country	Date
1	Australia	Template:Dts
2	United States	Template:Dts
3	Albania	Template:Dts
4	China	Template:Dts
5	Egypt	Template:Dts
6	North Korea	Template:Dts
7	Japan	Template:Dts
8	South Africa	Template:Dts
9	Turkey	Template:Dts
10	South Korea	Template:Dts
11	Germany	Template:Dts
12	Poland	Template:Dts
13	Switzerland	Template:Dts
14	Canada	Template:Dts
15	Cyprus	Template:Dts
16	France	Template:Dts
17	Bangladesh	Template:Dts
18	Israel	Template:Dts
19	India	Template:Dts
20	Cuba	Template:Dts
21	Russia	Template:Dts
22	Finland	Template:Dts
23	Italy	Template:Dts
24	Austria	Template:Dts
25	Belgium	Template:Dts
26	Sweden	Template:Dts
27	Madagascar	Template:Dts
28	Mexico	Template:Dts
29	Malaysia	Template:Dts
30	Spain	Template:Dts
31	Hungary	Template:Dts
32	Mongolia	Template:Dts
33	Philippines	Template:Dts
34	Denmark	Template:Dts
35	Iran	Template:Dts
36	Pakistan	Template:Dts
37	Oman	Template:Dts
38	Bulgaria	Template:Dts
39	Luxembourg	Template:Dts
40	Vietnam	Template:Dts
41	Netherlands	Template:Dts
42	Greece	Template:Dts
43	United Kingdom	Template:Dts
44	Romania	Template:Dts
45	Morocco	Template:Dts
46	Ghana	Template:Dts
47	Norway	Template:Dts
48	Template:Country data Georgia	Template:Dts
49	Lithuania	Template:Dts
50	Thailand	Template:Dts
51	Portugal	Template:Dts
—	Holy See	Template:Dts
52	Singapore	Template:Dts
53	New Zealand	Template:Dts
54	Ukraine	Template:Dts
55	Argentina	Template:Dts
56	Turkmenistan	Template:Dts
57	Kazakhstan	Template:Dts
58	Saudi Arabia	Template:Dts
59	Moldova	Template:Dts
60	Mali	Template:Dts
61	Tunisia	Template:Dts
62	Czech Republic	Template:Dts
63	Slovakia	Template:Dts
64	Armenia	Template:Dts
65	Chad	Template:Dts
66	Tajikistan	Template:Dts
67	Azerbaijan	Template:Dts
68	Belarus	Template:Dts
69	Guatemala	Template:Dts
70	Jordan	Template:Dts
71	Uzbekistan	Template:Dts
72	Malta	Template:Dts
73	Libya	Template:Dts
74	Latvia	Template:Dts
75	Nepal	Template:Dts
76	Indonesia	Template:Dts
77	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Template:Dts
78	Syria	Template:Dts
79	Brazil	Template:Dts
80	Uruguay	Template:Dts
81	Maldives	Template:Dts
82	Zambia	Template:Dts
83	Colombia	Template:Dts
84	Slovenia	Template:Dts
85	Template:Country data North Macedonia	Template:Dts
86	Kuwait	Template:Dts
87	Samoa	Template:Dts
88	Cambodia	Template:Dts
89	Laos	Template:Dts
—	Template:Country data State of Palestine	Template:Dts
90	Bahrain	Template:Dts
91	Brunei	Template:Dts
92	Estonia	Template:Dts
93	United Arab Emirates	Template:Dts
94	Sri Lanka	Template:Dts
95	Algeria	Template:Dts
96	Croatia	Template:Dts
97	Yemen	Template:Dts
98	Qatar	Template:Dts
99	Serbia	Template:Dts
100	Peru	Template:Dts
101	Chile	Template:Dts
102	Liechtenstein	Template:Dts
103	Afghanistan	Template:Dts
104	Jamaica	Template:Dts
105	Ireland	Template:Dts
106	Gambia	Template:Dts
107	Myanmar	Template:Dts
108	Namibia	Template:Dts
109	Kenya	Template:Dts
110	Iceland	Template:Dts
111	Costa Rica	Template:Dts
112	San Marino	Template:Dts
113	Benin	Template:Dts
114	Montenegro	Template:Dts
115	Senegal	Template:Dts
116	Dominican Republic	Template:Dts
117	Tuvalu	Template:Dts
118	Paraguay	Template:Dts
119	Fiji	Template:Dts
120	Eritrea	Template:Dts
121	Seychelles	Template:Dts
122	Uganda	Template:Dts
123	Andorra	Template:Dts
124	Solomon Islands	Template:Dts
125	Djibouti	Template:Dts
126	Guinea	Template:Dts
127	Ivory Coast	Template:Dts
128	Sudan	Template:Dts
129	Mauritania	Template:Dts
130	Togo	Template:Dts
131	Iraq	Template:Dts
132	Republic of the Congo	Template:Dts
133	El Salvador	Template:Dts
134	Mauritius	Template:Dts
135	Liberia	Template:Dts
136	Ethiopia	Template:Dts
137	Guyana	Template:Dts
138	Suriname	Template:Dts
139	Dominica	Template:Dts
140	Sierra Leone	Template:Dts
141	Central African Republic	Template:Dts
142	Ecuador	Template:Dts
143	Marshall Islands	Template:Dts
144	Monaco	Template:Dts
145	Lebanon	Template:Dts
146	Nicaragua	Template:Dts
147	Lesotho	Template:Dts
148	Burundi	Template:Dts
149	Zimbabwe	Template:Dts
150	Equatorial Guinea	Template:Dts
151	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Template:Dts
152	Venezuela	Template:Dts
153	Federated States of Micronesia	Template:Dts
154	Bolivia	Template:Dts
155	Grenada	Template:Dts
156	Cape Verde	Template:Dts
157	Kiribati	Template:Dts
158	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Template:Dts
159	Vanuatu	Template:Dts
160	Cameroon	Template:Dts
161	Mozambique	Template:Dts
162	Nauru	Template:Dts
163	Antigua and Barbuda	Template:Dts
164	Panama	Template:Dts
165	Palau	Template:Dts
166	Malawi	Template:Dts
167	Tonga	Template:Dts
168	Rwanda	Template:Dts
169	Saint Lucia	Template:Dts
170	Angola	Template:Dts
171	Guinea-Bissau	Template:Dts
172	Botswana	Template:Dts
173	Burkina Faso	Template:Dts
174	Belize	Template:Dts
175	Somalia	Template:Dts
176	Honduras	Template:Dts
177	Eswatini	Template:Dts
178	Gabon	Template:Dts
179	Papua New Guinea	Template:Dts
180	Bahamas	Template:Dts
181	South Sudan	Template:Dts
182	Tanzania	Template:Dts
183	São Tomé and Príncipe	Template:Dts

Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	January 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations in January 1993 by protocol. Armenia is represented in Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan and an honorary consulate in Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Moscow, Russia. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Collective Security Treaty Organization and Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area.
Australia		Australia is represented in Kyrgyzstan by its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
Azerbaijan		See Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Baku.
China		See China–Kyrgyzstan relations As of 1996, relations between both nations were an area of substantial uncertainty for the government in Bishkek. The free-trade zone in Naryn attracted large numbers of Chinese businesspeople, who came to dominate most of the republic's import and export of small goods. Most of these trades are in barter conducted by ethnic Kyrgyz or Kazakhs who are Chinese citizens. The Kyrgyzstani government has expressed alarm over the numbers of Chinese who are moving into Naryn and other parts of Kyrgyzstan, but no preventive measures had been taken as of 1996.
Template:Country data Georgia		Georgia is represented in Kyrgyzstan by its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan is represented in Georgia by its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Greece	1992	See Greece-Kyrgyzstan relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Greece is represented in Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Almaty (Kazakhstan). Kyrgyzstan is represented in Greece through a non resident ambassador based in Bishkek (in the Foreign Ministry). Kyrgyz consular representation in Greece is made by the Kazakh consulate in Athens. On November 1, 2004, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev made an official visit to Greece. A Foreign Ministry delegation from Greece visited Dushanbe for talks, and had meetings with Tajikistans Foreign Minister Zarifi and First Deputy Foreign Minister Youldashev in 2008. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met with Tajikistans Foreign Minister Zarifi during the 1st EU-Central Asia Forum on security issues in Paris in September 2008. There are between 650 and 700 people of Greek descent living in Kyrgyzstan. However, the data of the General Secretariat For Greeks Abroad give an even lower number (50 people). In 2004 Greece and Kyrgyzstan signed a bilateral agreement for air transports, tourism and diplomacy during Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev's visit to Greece.
India	18 March 1992	See Kyrgyzstan–India relations Since the independence of Kyrgyz Republic on 31 August 1991, India was among the first to establish bilateral diplomatic relations on 18 March 1992; the resident Mission of India was set up in 1994. Political ties with the Kyrgyz Republic have been traditionally warm and friendly. The Kyrgyz leaderships have been largely supportive of India's stand on Kashmir and have welcomed the ongoing peace process. Kyrgyzstan also supports India's bid for permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and India's role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). India also has strong educational ties with the country. The Defense Minister Omuraliyev was enthusiastic about the prospects of military cooperation in a radio interview with Free Europe in September 2013. "Many are skeptical, thinking that Kyrgyzstan and India can't have mutual interests in military relations.... But we have had a very close partnership in the defense sphere." He specified foreign language (presumably English) training, military medicine and preparing for United Nations peacekeeping missions as specific areas of cooperation.
Iran		See Iran–Kyrgyzstan relations Iran–Kyrgyzstan relations are foreign and diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Iran. Bilateral relations between Iran and Kyrgyzstan are more or less even and somewhat relaxed. On September 12, 2013, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani expressed political will to enhance relations with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Japan	26 January 1992	Diplomatic relations between Japan and Kyrgyzstan were established on 26 January 1992. Japan opened an embassy in Bishkek in January 2003, and Kyrgyzstan opened an embassy in Tokyo in April 2004.
Kazakhstan		See Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan relations Bilateral relationships between the countries are very strong and Kyrgyz and Kazakh are very close in terms of language, culture and religion. Kyrgyz-Kazakh relationships have always been friendly and economic and other formal unifications of two countries have been greeted with strong appreciation since the two nations have a lot in common. On Apr. 26, 2007 Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement to create an "International Supreme Council". This historic event took place during an official visit of the Kazakh president to the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek.
Malaysia		See Kyrgyzstan–Malaysia relations Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, while Malaysia embassy in Tashkent is also accredited to Kyrgyzstan.
Malta	19 February 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 February 1993. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Mexico	14 January 1992	Kyrgyzstan is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Kyrgyzstan from its embassy in Tehran, Iran.
Pakistan	20 December 1991	See Kyrgyzstan–Pakistan relations Relations between the two countries were established on 20 December 1991 shortly after Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union.
Russia		See Kyrgyzstan–Russia relations File:Парад в честь 70-летия Великой Победы - 60.png President Almazbek Atambayev and Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 9 May 2015 Whereas the other Central Asian republics have sometimes complained of Russian interference, Kyrgyzstan has more often wished for more attention and support from Moscow than it has been able to obtain. For all the financial support that the world community has offered, Kyrgyzstan remains economically dependent on Russia, both directly and through Kazakhstan. In early 1995, Askar Akayev, the then President of Kyrgyzstan, attempted to sell Russian companies controlling shares in the republic's twenty-nine largest industrial plants, an offer that Russia refused.
Serbia	1998	Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1998. In 2011, the total trade value amounted EUR 3,5 million.
South Korea	31 January 1992	The Republic of Korea and Kyrgyzstan have had official relations since 31 January 1992. On the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Yerlan Abdyldaev on September 26. In the meeting, the two diplomats discussed matters of mutual concern including ways to boost high-level exchanges to step up substantive cooperation and work together on the international stage. The two sides shared the view that their countries have seen their bilateral relations move forward in diverse fields since the visit of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to the Republic of Korea in November 2013. The meeting resulted in an agreement to increase high-level exchanges in order to further enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Tajikistan		See Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan relations Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan relations have been tense. Refugees and antigovernment fighters in Tajikistan have crossed into Kyrgyzstan several times, even taking hostages. Kyrgyzstan attempted to assist in brokering an agreement between contesting Tajikistani forces in October 1992 but without success. Askar Akayev later joined presidents Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev in sending a joint intervention force to support Tajikistan's president Imomali Rahmonov against insurgents, but the Kyrgyzstani parliament delayed the mission of its small contingent for several months until late spring 1993. In mid-1995 Kyrgyzstani forces had the responsibility of sealing a small portion of the Tajikistan border near Panj from Tajikistani rebel forces.
Turkey	Jan. 29, 1992	See Kyrgyzstan–Turkey relations Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has an embassy in Bishkek. Both countries are members of Asia Cooperation Dialogue, Economic Cooperation Organization, International Organization of Turkic Culture, OIC, TAKM, Turkic Council, TURKPA, OSCE and WTO. Trade volume between the two countries was US$519 million in 2019 (Kyrgyz exports/imports: 77/442 million USD. Turkey became the first state to recognize the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
Turkmenistan		See Kyrgyzstan–Turkmenistan relations Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan has an embassy in Bishkek.
United Kingdom	12 June 1992	See Kyrgyzstan–United Kingdom relations File:Foreign Secretary David Cameron visits Kyrgyzstan on 22 April 2024 - 8.jpg Foreign Secretary David Cameron with Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev in Bishkek, April 2024. Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 12 June 1992. Kyrgyzstan maintains an embassy in London. The UK is accredited to Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Bishkek. Both countries share common membership of the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership.
United States		See Kyrgyzstan–United States relations The U.S. government provides humanitarian assistance, non-lethal military assistance, and assistance to support economic and political reforms. It also has supported the Kyrgyz Republic's requests for assistance from international organizations. The United States assisted the Kyrgyz Republic accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 1998. U.S. assistance aids the Kyrgyz Republic in implementing necessary economic, health sector, and educational reforms, and supports economic development and conflict resolution in the Fergana Valley. (See also American Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan.) Kyrgyzstan has an embassy in Washington, D.C. United States has an embassy in Bishkek.
Uzbekistan		See Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan relations Uzbekistan informs southern Kyrgyzstan both economically and politically, based on the large Uzbek population in that region of Kyrgyzstan and on economic and geographic conditions. Much of Kyrgyzstan depends on Uzbekistan for natural gas; on several occasions, Karimov has achieved political ends by shutting pipelines or by adjusting terms of delivery. In a number of television appearances broadcast in the Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces of Kyrgyzstan, Karimov has addressed Akayev with considerable condescension; Akayev, in turn, has been highly deferential to his neighbor. Although Uzbekistan has not shown overt expansionist tendencies, the Kyrgyz government is acutely aware of the implications of Karimov's assertions that he is responsible for the well-being of all Uzbeks, regardless of their nation of residence.

Illegal drug trade

Kyrgyzstan is a limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption. There is a limited government eradication program. Kyrgyzstan is used increasingly as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia. In 2020, with the assistance of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Program Office in Kyrgyzstan, the Analytical Center of the Counter Narcotic Service of the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic was established to combat drug trafficking.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Kyrgyzstan
• List of diplomatic missions of Kyrgyzstan