On the eve of the state visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to Uzbekistan , Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruslan Kazakbayev gave an interview to AKIpress, in which he spoke about relations between the two countries.
– Ruslan Aitbaevich, it is known that President Sadyr Japarov will visit Uzbekistan on March 11-12. Please tell me, how would you characterize the current state of relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and their evolution in the new conditions?
– I would like to start with the fact that Uzbekistan is our closest neighbor, with which we are connected by a long-term common history, culture, similarity of language and spiritual values. Today we are united by relations based on good-neighborliness and mutual support, which meet the interests of the two fraternal peoples.
For the Kyrgyz Republic, further dynamic development of friendly and good-neighborly relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan remains one of the main priorities of foreign policy.
We are very pleased to see that thanks to the open and regular political dialogue between our states, in recent years, relations between our fraternal states have reached a qualitatively new level – the level of strategic partnership.
An active dialogue continues at the level of heads of state, parliaments, governments and foreign affairs agencies, and dynamic interdepartmental and interregional contacts are observed. All this, in my opinion, is evidence of the really close interaction between the two partner countries.
We fully support and welcome the strategy of Uzbekistan aimed at rapprochement of relations with neighbors in the region. Thanks to the intensification of our relations, in recent years we have achieved significant success in solving problematic issues. After a long break, the work of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was resumed. In addition, the Council of Heads of the Border Regions of our two countries was created under the patronage of the heads of government, which gave a new positive impetus and contributed to the deepening of trade, economic and border cooperation.
I would also like to note the active promotion and expansion of trade and economic ties. This testifies to the existence of ample opportunities for the growth of mutual trade and expansion of cooperation in various sectors of the economy. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the dynamics of our cooperation, but what is important is that both of our countries are optimistic about the future.
Today, relations between our countries are not just a standard format of bilateral cooperation in various spheres, but a deliberate long-term strategic choice of two states that have a centuries-old historical connection.
I am deeply convinced that the current positive nature of relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will develop in a growing spirit of friendship, good neighborliness, mutual support and trust.
The upcoming visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov to Tashkent is designed to fully contribute to this.
– What are your expectations from the upcoming visit? What are the main issues, including problematic ones, will be discussed between the leaders of the two countries? Are there issues of principle on which there is no consensus yet, but on which progress is expected?
– I repeat that bilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan in all areas of cooperation is indeed developing very dynamically today.
It is necessary to pay tribute to the fact that the situation has radically changed in many respects thanks to the policy pursued by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, who proclaimed the doctrine of complete peace, harmony, good-neighborliness and cooperation, and redirected the efforts of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy to find compromises with neighbors.
I will say openly: at present, there are no closed topics between our countries that we cannot talk about, and we have no problems on which we cannot agree.
In general, a lot of joint work is being carried out, the parties are focused on resolving topical issues, including border issues, the functioning of checkpoints, removing problematic issues in the field of trade and economic, water and energy, transit and transport cooperation.
It should be noted that our countries have a huge untapped potential in the trade, economic and investment spheres. Despite the achievements in this area, we need to do everything possible to strengthen the work in this direction.
As in the rest of the world, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has made adjustments to the plans for interaction at all levels. However, despite the restrictions, the past year has been very active in bilateral political contacts. So, for example, after a long break in August and December last year, two meetings of the government commissions of the two countries on the demarcation and delimitation of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek state border were held in Tashkent and Bishkek.
The global socio-economic crisis caused by the pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for closer international coordination and interaction at the bilateral and regional levels. Taking this into account, at present, our states are faced with the primary goals of revitalizing trade and economic ties and industrial cooperation. And the most effective way to achieve these goals is to implement joint programs that provide for the elimination of barriers to mutual trade, simplification of customs procedures, their harmonization and digitalization, the development of e-commerce, as well as the encouragement of mutual investments.
It seems that now it is important for us to develop new, including “non-standard” approaches to the development of our trade, economic and investment ties in the context of a pandemic.
– Quite recently, before his visit to Kazakhstan, S. Japarov said that Kyrgyzstan is negotiating with Uzbekistan on the supply of electricity, and this is due to the shortage of water. The water issue has long been a “stumbling block” between our countries. How are things going today, are there still tensions on this issue between our countries? Will the issue of importing electricity to Kyrgyzstan be linked to the issues of the operating regime of Kyrgyz hydropower plants and water releases?
I would like to start my answer to this question with the fact that the key factor for the sustainable development of the Central Asian states is in many respects the comprehensive and efficient use of water and energy resources. To date, in the Central Asian region, unfortunately, there is still no mutually beneficial cooperation in this area.
Kyrgyzstan believes that economic mechanisms for water use should be developed and introduced in the region. This is necessary so that the upstream countries have the opportunity and incentive to accumulate water resources for irrigation in neighboring countries, regardless of water availability, including during periods of low water and based on several years in advance.
For example, there are water facilities on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the help of which we ensure the accumulation, storage and supply of water to neighboring states. For these purposes, significant funding is annually allocated from the state budget. Therefore, of course, water resources do have their own economic value. This means that the corresponding costs must be compensated accordingly.
In this vein, the Kyrgyz side stands for the resumption of cooperation within the framework of the Agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the use of water and energy resources of the Naryn-Syrdarya river basin from 1998, which provides for a compensatory mechanism for the use of water and energy resources.
I would like to emphasize that in connection with the onset of low water in the Naryn river basin, today there are real risks of insufficient water accumulation in the Toktogul reservoir. Naturally, this directly affects the volume of electricity generation to cover the domestic needs of the Kyrgyz Republic.
In order to ensure the stable functioning of the energy system, as well as preserving the required volume of water in the Toktogul reservoir, it is first of all necessary to import electricity to the Kyrgyz Republic this and next year.
As our energy experts note, this year the import of electricity in the amount of 1.5 billion kW / h is required, in connection with which negotiations are underway with the Uzbek and Kazakh parties.
An agreement has already been reached with Kazakhstan on the supply of electricity in the amount of up to 900 million kW / h. in 2021. The same amount of electricity will be returned to Kazakhstan until 2023.
At the moment, negotiations are also underway with the Uzbek side. We hope that the authorized bodies of the two countries will find mutually acceptable solutions for the import of electricity, including taking into account the interdependence of our states in the water and energy sector.
In general, I want to say that today there are no “stumbling blocks” between the countries. On the contrary, both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have a common understanding of the importance of dialogue on water and energy cooperation. I believe that this is a very good basis for the region to finally reach agreement on water and energy issues, taking into account the needs and interests of all stakeholders.
– At the end of 2020, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan announced the creation of a Kyrgyz-Uzbek Investment Fund with an authorized capital of US $ 50 million. Tell us in more detail about this Fund, at what stage is the question of its creation today, what projects are planned to be implemented under its auspices? In addition, what major bilateral projects do Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan intend to implement in the near future?
In order to support the efforts of our countries to expand trade, economic, investment and financial relations, in December last year, the government delegations of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan really reached an agreement on the creation of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Investment Fund. The authorized capital, as you rightly noted, is set at $ 50 million.
During bilateral talks between the heads of government in February this year, our Uzbek friends informed about their full readiness to support our initiative to create an investment fund in Kyrgyzstan.
is planned that the Fund will finance joint projects by providing loans. Financing will be carried out in such priority sectors of the economy as the agro-industrial complex, garment and textile industry, manufacturing industry, trade, entrepreneurship and other areas.
Currently, the relevant ministries of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are actively working on the practical implementation of this project. The corresponding draft of the intergovernmental agreement has passed in our country intrastate coordination and has already been sent to the Uzbek side for consideration.
In addition, I would like to note that the parties are currently forming a Plan of Practical Measures, or the so-called “Road Map”, to expand cooperation in the field of industrial cooperation.
To date, this Plan includes 19 projects, including the construction of a joint industrial trade and logistics center on the territory of the Kadamjai district of the Batken region on the border with the Sokh district of Uzbekistan, the construction of a potato processing plant, the creation and development of a production and logistics enterprise for the processing of apricots in Batken. regions, joint development of a quartz sand deposit, implementation of projects to create greenhouse complexes, creation of joint wholesale and logistics centers for the processing and storage of fruit and vegetable products and export to the EAEU markets through the Kyrgyz Republic and other large joint projects.
We hope that the implementation of these projects will significantly intensify trade and economic cooperation between our countries.
– At what stage is the issue of building the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Will this project be discussed in Tashkent during the president’s visit?
As you know, the development and expansion of the transport sector is a key factor in the economic growth of any country. The Kyrgyz Republic is located in the very center of the Eurasian continent and has an advantageous geographical position, which gives us opportunities to access large markets of neighboring countries.
Therefore, the Kyrgyz side attaches great importance to the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which can potentially become one of the most promising links in transcontinental transport corridors connecting Asia and Europe.
It is very important for Kyrgyzstan to turn from a dead-end country into a transit country. For this, it is necessary to develop rail communications throughout the country, both transit and internal. It seems to me that this is a guarantee of strengthening the transport independence of Kyrgyzstan.
It is obvious that the development of transport infrastructure at the same time will make it possible to activate trade relations, increase the economic potential of all states of the region and solve many pressing problems of the socio-economic development of the Central Asian states.
In addition, against the backdrop of the global pandemic of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the role of cross-border e-commerce is increasing, which in the future will lead to an increase in demand for rail transportation, since the main international carrier of goods from online stores today is the railway. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has also shown that rail freight is the safest and fastest way to deliver goods.
On the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, trilateral expert meetings of working groups are held on a regular basis, within the framework of which technical, financial and other issues are discussed. The parties are currently continuing the negotiation process on this project.
In July last year, following the results of the negotiations, a working group was created for the financial and economic analysis of the project from among the representatives of the relevant ministries and departments of the Kyrgyz Republic, which today is actively negotiating with the Uzbek side.
I would like to note once again that we are interested in this project. We hope that our countries will find mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial ways to implement it. All parties will benefit from this.
– How do you assess the negotiation process between the countries on the disputed areas and the state border line?
As you know, today Kyrgyzstan has completed all the issues of legal registration of the state border line with China and Kazakhstan. This became possible only thanks to a mutually constructive approach, the adoption of mutually acceptable decisions, taking into account the national interests of all parties. I believe that there can be no other approach to this issue.
It is very important that the negotiation process with Uzbekistan on border issues today is also proceeding in the spirit of mutual understanding. We can say that today this process is at the completion stage.
Our states inherited very difficult sections of the state border, especially in the densely populated region of the Fergana Valley. Moreover, we have lived side by side for centuries, and during the USSR period there was virtually no such thing as a state border between our states.
Despite this, we manage to find wise and mutually acceptable solutions with brotherly Uzbekistan. This approach allowed us on September 5, 2017 to sign the Treaty on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek state border, with a length of 1,170.53 km.
I would like to note that there are practically no disputed areas between our countries for the rest. Today, we only have to solve about 6% of the entire length of the state border. Kyrgyzstan, together with Uzbekistan, aims to complete the legal registration of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek state border line by the end of 2021.
The solution of border issues and the legalization of the state border will undoubtedly give a powerful impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation, as well as trade and economic interaction, which in turn should contribute to strengthening stability and mutual understanding between our countries.
It seems to me very important that there is a consensus between our countries that the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border should be the border of friendship and good neighborliness. In particular, the efforts of the leaders of our countries will be directed to the implementation of this idea during the meeting in Tashkent.
– Last year, Uzbekistan provided us with tangible assistance in the fight against coronavirus infection. Will Tashkent additionally discuss issues of joint counteraction to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic? In the context of epidemiological constraints, what problematic issues are there today in the development of trade, in the movement of people, goods and services?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our brotherly Uzbek people for the humanitarian assistance provided to combat COVID-19 in such a difficult period for our country.
This assistance met a number of needs of our country, which covered efforts to ensure food and epidemiological security of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Uzbekistan has sent 7 consignments of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, food products, PPE, etc. In addition, the Uzbek side delivered modular structures for 400 beds to the cities of Bishkek and Kyzyl-Kyya for the construction of two infectious diseases hospitals.
In the current conditions, it is necessary to further strengthen cooperation in the field of healthcare, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, exchange of approaches to treatment and vaccination against COVID-19, including in the field of pharmaceuticals.
Answering the second part of your question, I can say that at this time there are no problems with cargo transportation between our countries. In addition, citizens of both countries can enter and leave the territory of both countries.
However, when entering the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, it is necessary to have a PCR test and an express analysis. That is, before passing the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, citizens of Kyrgyzstan need to take a PCR test, and then, when passing checkpoints, once again take additional express tests. Naturally, this creates some inconvenience and tangible costs for our citizens.
But I would like to once again note the constructivism in the approaches of the Uzbek side. During negotiations at the level of the heads of government of the two countries on February 4 this year, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov assured that the issuance of PCR tests for citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic would be free of charge, as an exception to the general rules for entering the Republic of Uzbekistan for foreign citizens.
In this regard, at present, work is being carried out between the ministries of health of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the mutual recognition of PCR tests of citizens of the two countries.
In addition, we want to offer the Uzbek side to work out the issue of joint construction of medical laboratories in the border regions of the Kyrgyz Republic to issue the results of PCR tests, which would be recognized by both parties.
– What is the level of interaction between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan within the framework of regional and global international organizations and what initiatives are jointly promoted in the international arena? And how do our countries actually influence the resolution of regional issues in Central Asia?
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, as close neighbors, actively interact at all multilateral platforms. At the same time, we have similar positions on international issues, as well as on the active use of the existing potential of international and regional organizations such as the UN, SCO, CIS, etc.
In general, it is worth noting the active and friendly interaction of our countries at the UN platform. The parties on an ongoing basis provide mutual support to the elected bodies of this and other international organizations.
In this context, one cannot fail to note the UN General Assembly resolution put forward at the initiative of Uzbekistan on strengthening regional and international cooperation in Central Asia, supported by the Kyrgyz Republic.
Uzbekistan also actively supports our foreign policy initiatives. We are talking, among other things, about the resolution initiated by us “Nature knows no borders: Transboundary cooperation is a key factor in the conservation and use of biodiversity” and the World Nomad Games, which are also reflected in the resolution of the UN General Assembly.
I would especially like to emphasize the very fruitful interaction of the Kyrgyz Republic with the Republic of Uzbekistan within the framework of UNESCO. As you know, we have several joint transnational nominations included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is the holiday “Nooruz” and the natural site “Western Tien Shan”.
The Kyrgyz Republic, as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, regularly supports and defends the position of brotherly Uzbekistan. So in 2018, the Kyrgyz Republic supported the request of the Uzbek side and voted against the draft UNESCO decision to exclude the historical center of Shakhrisabz from the List of World Heritage in Danger. In 2019, Kyrgyzstan supported the position of Uzbekistan on the conservation status of Samarkand and Bukhara, which are under threat of exclusion from the World Heritage List.
In addition, it should be noted that joint work is underway at multilateral international platforms to attract additional funds to solve the problems of uranium tailings.
Speaking about cooperation in the format of the Central Asian region, I would like to note that the Kyrgyz Republic attaches priority importance to this area of foreign policy. We are interested in continuing regular political dialogue in a five-sided format and achieving concrete results for the benefit of the peoples living in our unique region.
Our region has great opportunities and all the prerequisites for stable, open and dynamic development based on friendship and good neighborliness. Further steps depend, first of all, on ourselves, the countries of Central Asia.
Therefore, we are simply obliged to find mutually acceptable ways to resolve pressing and topical issues, to jointly promote the interests of the region in international and regional organizations, relying on trust, support and mutual respect.
Kyrgyzstan appreciates the fact that today there is a favorable atmosphere of good-neighborliness, mutual trust, friendship and respect in relations between our countries and peoples. In this difficult time for everyone, both states did not move away from each other, but provided mutual support.
Regional trust and openness should become the core principles of integration unity. For this, constant lively dialogue and communication at different levels is important. In this vein, I would like to note the great role of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the third meeting of which we intend to hold this year in Bishkek.
– It is noticeable that the government of the Kyrgyz Republic has paid and is paying great attention to interethnic relations in Kyrgyzstan after the well-known events in the past. In this context, we would like to hear from you, are there equal opportunities for all ethnic groups of our country to be represented in the state structures of the Kyrgyz Republic?
You know, I would like to say that it is necessary to draw lessons from any problem and not allow them in the future.
You drew attention to a very important issue and not only for our country. The political, socio-economic progressive development of the country depends on civil peace and interethnic harmony, and it also contributes to the provision and observance of all fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Kyrgyzstan is a signatory to all major UN human rights conventions and fulfills its international obligations. Moreover, from 2016 to 2018. The Kyrgyz Republic was a member of the UN Human Rights Council.
It must be admitted that in different periods, like many countries, we did not avoid comments and recommendations on the observance of human rights standards by Special Rapporteurs, as well as various UN treaty bodies to which the CD is a party. We are constantly working to consolidate society and strengthen the unity of the people.
In order to prevent interethnic differences and maintain ethnic diversity, the Concept of Strengthening the Unity of the People and Interethnic Relations in the Kyrgyz Republic and a number of programs were adopted in 2013, which, in principle, contributed to stability in the country.
The Assembly of the People of Kyrgyzstan and the State Agency for Local Self-Government and Interethnic Relations under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic made a great contribution to strengthening unity.
I recall the words of our great writer, diplomat and thinker Chingiz Aitmatov, who once told me: “If our people live in unity without division into clans, regions and ethnic groups, we will preserve our independence and statehood.”
Speaking about the representation in the state structures of the Kyrgyz Republic of different ethnic groups of the country, I would like to note that representatives of more than 80 nationalities live in Kyrgyzstan, they all have equal opportunities, the development of their national languages, cultures and traditions.
Nevertheless, for example, in the Jogorku Kenesh [parliament], as well as in the executive, law enforcement and judicial systems of the country, Russians, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Tajiks, Dungans and other ethnic groups are represented.
I believe that everything depends on each citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic, no matter what nationality and religion he is, all that is needed is his desire, ability, talent and desire to help the state in the modernization of the country.
In general, we can say with confidence that all ethnic groups living in our country are aimed at creative activity in our common country – in Kyrgyzstan. We appreciate it and value
