In the last days of February, Kyrgyz diplomats held a series of significant meetings aimed at developing bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Belarus and Germany. Each of the meetings emphasised priority areas of interaction, including agriculture, water resources, economic partnership and cultural and humanitarian ties.

Saudi Arabia

On 11 February, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Saudi Arabia Ulukbek Maripov met with the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water Resources and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Qamshi. During the talks, they discussed the possibilities of strengthening trade and economic co-operation, especially in the field of agriculture.

Ambassador Maripov focused on the favourable dynamics of bilateral relations, noting the successful holding of the fourth meeting of the Kyrgyz-Saudi Cooperation Committee and the launch of direct flights between the countries. A. Al-Qamshi stressed the importance of air communication as one of the key factors for increasing trade turnover and tourist flows.

During the meeting, proposals on supplying Kyrgyz products - meat, honey, fruit and other food products - to the Saudi market were considered. Representatives of Saudi companies Nadec, Baja and Leen Alkhair expressed interest in developing business ties with Kyrgyzstan.

Uzbekistan

On 13 February, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Uzbekistan Duishonkul Chotonov met with the Minister of Water Management of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamraev. The parties positively assessed the activities of the Joint Water Commission of the two countries and discussed further activities in bilateral and multilateral formats.

Both sides agreed that water is an important unifying element in the relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. They agreed to intensify interaction on emerging issues and continue working on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in this sphere.

Belarus

Also on 13 February, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Belarus Erbol Sultanbayev met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Pavel Utyupin. During the conversation, the high quality of interaction between the countries in the political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres was noted.

The sides discussed the schedule of the forthcoming bilateral visits and summits, as well as the status of preparation of draft documents under consideration by the parties. This testifies to the aspiration of both countries to deepen the strategic partnership.

Germany 

On the same day, the Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany Omurbek Tekebaev met with the Managing Director of the Union of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), Nicole Renvert. During the meeting, the Ambassador informed about the socio-economic situation in Kyrgyzstan, infrastructure projects being implemented and potential areas of co-operation, such as energy, transport, logistics and education.

Nicole Renvert presented the goals of DIHK and emphasised the interest of German business in expanding cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the new geopolitical environment. The parties agreed to implement joint projects to strengthen ties between entrepreneurs of the two countries.