The document summarizes the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan. It has four main priorities: strengthening national security, fostering external development, strengthening international image, and establishing an effective foreign policy system. The policy is multi-vectored, balanced, and pragmatic, based on national interests. Key dimensions are regional cooperation with neighbors, continental relations with major powers like Russia and China, and global involvement in international organizations. The policy aims to develop mutually beneficial relations while maintaining independence.

1. International Atatyurk Alatoo
Kubanova Aidai

2. The Foreign Policy of Kyrgyzstan

3. The KYRGYZ FOREIGN POLICY
• New government under President Bakiev continues to implement the main
directions of Akaev’s foreign policy with some differences on methods and
approach.
• 2007 Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic emphasize 4
main priorities in Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy:
-strengthening national security by foreign policy methods,
-formation of favorable external environment for realization of national
development priorities,
-strengthening of positive international image of Kyrgyzstan,
-formation of effective system for foreign policy activity in the state.
• The new concept defines the Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy as multi-vectored,
balanced and pragmatic policy, which is supported by the national interests
and based on the real sources and possibilities of the country.

4. There are three main dimensions in the development of Kyrgyz
foreign policy mentioned in the concept:
Regional dimension defines as the formation of friendship
relations with neighboring countries like Kazakstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan and China, based on the principles of respect for
sovereignty, territorial integrity and mutual security;
Continental (or Eurasian) dimension associates with the
development of the relation with main centers of international
policy, such as Russian Federation, China, USA, European
Union, Germany, Japan, India and Turkish Republic on the base
of multi-vectored policy and mutual beneficiary cooperation.
Global dimension generally focused on the consolidating the
position of the Kyrgyz Republic in the international community
and the development of the cooperation with international
organizations, particularly the United Nations.

5. The Brief Analysis of the Kyrgyz Foreign Policy
• The issues in the relations of the Kyrgyz Republic with the neighboring and
regional countries:
• Cooperation activity on the border issues. Since the independence of
Kyrgyzstan the delimitation processes have been completed with two countries
China and Kazakhstan. But more unresolved disputes on the border delimitation
come in relations with Tajikistan and especially with Uzbekistan that caused
some problem in the border regions.
• Common energy system in Central Asia. This issue often becomes the subject of
confrontation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on one side and Uzbekistan
and Tajikistan on another. The main problem is the distribution of the water of
Syrdarya River - the downstream countries Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan protest
and pressure the upstream Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
• The connected issue is the cooperation of the regional countries in the trade of
energy resources such as oil and particularly gas supplied by Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan which sometime become the mean of pressure on Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan.

6. Economic relations and trade is the main sector of cooperation between
Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries. Kyrgyzstan actively involves in close
socio-economic, cultural, educational and therefore political cooperation with
regional countries such Russia, Kazakhstan and in lower level with Uzbekistan
and Tajikistan. Since independence Kyrgyz Republic increases the relations
with Turkey Republic and China, which now compose an important part of
Kyrgyz foreign affairs.
Cooperation in security field. This activity is mainly promoted by Russia
through its bilateral and multilateral relations. Kyrgyzstan actively involved in
the multilateral structures of CSTO and SCO on the fight against terrorism,
extremism and separatism, as well as transnational crime, contraband of arms
and drugs. The main partner of the bilateral security cooperation is Russia, but
China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and also Turkey have significant
bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan in security issues.
the security issues also become the problems in the relation with Tajikistan and
particularly Uzbekistan
Security concern also exists in the relations of Kyrgyzstan with more powerful
neighbors like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan which rival for leadership in Central
Asia, and certainly China who still perceived as a potential threat for
independence in the future.

7. The foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan with great powers based on the
formation and development of mutual beneficial cooperation as well as
providing multi-vectored foreign policy toward different states.
This direction of Kyrgyz foreign policy has its significant implementation
in the relations with 3 great powers United States, Russia and China which
has their specific interest in the region and their potentiality to cooperate or
rival with each other. (Some of these examples will be observed bellow).
The relations with international organizations are one of the main
directions of Kyrgyz foreign policy. The main goals of this direction are the
active participation of Kyrgyzstan to international politics as a member of
international community as well as to follow more pragmatic goals such as
strengthen the national and regional security, provide political, financial
and technical support for domestic issues and economic prosperity, take
advantage from the processes of integration and globalization.
Presently, the Kyrgyz Republic is a member of 71 international
organizations.

8. Multi-Vector Policy Issue: The Case of the Relations with USA and
Russia
Kyrgyzstan perceives Russia as the main partner in the political, socio-
economic and cultural cooperation as well as the guarantor for the national
security against external threats. The cooperation between two countries has
been increased since 1999 particularly in security field. The events of 9/11 and
American military presence in Kyrgyzstan did not change the Moscow’s status
as the major strategic partner for Bishkek, but provide the potential for multi-
vector policy and the external support for socio-economic development of the
country.
The US foreign policy in Central Asia was primarily directed at consolidation
of the independent status to prevent further reintegration of these countries wit
Russia. Kyrgyzstan being a small country generally attracted less attention. The
events of 9/11 and Bishkek cooperation initiative for anti-terrorist campaign
suddenly increase its strategic importance for US government. The Andijan
events in Uzbekistan and the following withdrawal of US military base from
Karshi-Khanabad pushed Washington for closer cooperation with Bishkek and
fulfillment of its demands according the rent cost which was raised by new
government in 2006.

9. Kyrgyz foreign policy approach toward the great powers to play on both side
resulted in new agreement with Russia in the beginnings of 2008
President announced the withdrawal of US military base immediately after the
signing the agreement and Parliament ratified this decision in few days later,
which caught everyone by surprise
Many analysts could not believe that withdrawal of the base would be
happened:
Russian observer Arcadiy Dubnov in his interview on the 10th
February to CA
News Agency supposed that the base can change status, location, but he
claimed that Americans would stay in Kyrgyzstan, “…we, Kyrgyz and
Americans know this…”.
 Gregory Gleason argued that Kyrgyzstan already chose the multi-vector policy
and this decision is illogic because this policy needs the balance in its
implementation otherwise it would loose the sense and the country would come
to the position of ‘vassal state’.
Finally, when the new agreement between Bishkek and Washington was signed
in June 2009 it has become clear about the Kyrgyz pragmatic intentions in this
process.

10. • The experience and some other sources show that the successful pragmatic
initiatives of Kyrgyz government could be provided because of the
following Russian-American agreement on this issue. There is a clear
understanding of Moscow that American anti-terrorist campaign in
Afghanistan is in favor of all Central Asian countries and Russia,
particularly.
• Today, we can see the development of the Kyrgyz multi-vector foreign
policy with Russian submission of this issue.
• Recently Prime-Minister Daniar Usenov in his official statement confirmed
that “the relations with Russia have very significant importance” for our
country and that “Kyrgyzstan was and is the consistent ally of Russia”.
• Also, the visits of top Washington officials like US Special Envoy for
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrook and the Commander of US
Central Forces David Petraus and their meetings with the President of KR
are signs of activation of the cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and USA,
particularly, in security issues.

11. It is good way to have good
Foreign Policy with others…