FOREIGN
RELATIONS
The Kyrgyz Republic maintains close relations with other former Soviet countries, particularly with Kazakhstan and Russia. Recognizing Russia's concerns about the Russian-speaking minority in the Kyrgyz Republic, President Akayev was sensitive to potential perceptions of discrimination. For example, although the 1993 constitution designates Kyrgyz as the state language, an amendment to the constitution in 2001 granted official status to the Russian language. The amended December 30, 2006 constitution reaffirmed the status of the two languages.
While the Kyrgyz Republic initially remained in the ruble zone, stringent conditions set by the Russian Government prompted the Kyrgyz Republic to introduce its own currency, the som, in May 1993. 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 the Kyrgyz Republic was short-lived, and the three nations signed an agreement in January 1994 creating an economic union. Economic cooperation within the region, though, is still hampered by unilateral barriers created by the Kyrgyz Republic's neighbors. The Kyrgyz Republic has been active in furthering regional cooperation, such as joint military exercises with Uzbek and Kazakh troops.
Turkey
has sought to capitalize on its cultural and ethnic links to the
region and has found the Kyrgyz Republic receptive to cultivating
bilateral relations. The Kyrgyz Republic is a member of the OSCE,
the CIS, the WTO, and the United Nations.
Since December 2001, the Kyrgyz Republic has hosted Manas Air Base, an important logistical hub for the Coalition effort in Afghanistan. On February 19, 2009, in support of an earlier announcement by President Bakiyev, the Kyrgyz parliament voted to close the Manas Air Base.
U.S.-KYRGYZ
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 helped the Kyrgyz Republic accede to the 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 Ferghana Valley.
[Also see fact sheet on FY 2008 U.S. Assistance to Kyrgyz Republic.]
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Tatiana Gfoeller
Deputy Chief of Mission--Lee Litzenberger
Political-Economic Officer--Robert Burgess
Management Officer--Patrick Fenning
USAID Director--Patricia Shapiro
The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic is located at 171 Prospect Mira 720016 Bishkek (tel.: 996-312-55-12-41; fax: 996-312-55-12-64).
