AKIPRESS.COM - The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Kyrgyz Republic on the occasion of the 2024 United States-Kyrgyz Republic Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABCs).

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Aibek Moldogaziev and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim led successful Annual Bilateral Consultations on April 22, 2024, in Bishkek. Noting the historic C5+1 Summit held on September 22, 2023, in New York, the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States emphasized the C5+1 format’s positive impact on regional cooperation and the U.S.-Kyrgyz’ collective commitment to enhancing the U.S.-Central Asia regional partnership. Both Deputy Foreign Minister Moldogaziev and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim reaffirmed the importance of the ABCs in advancing shared priorities, including those related to political and security cooperation, economic partnership and support for civil society and rule of law.

Political and Security Cooperation

The participants discussed security cooperation, including counterterrorism, border protection, global health security, and continued defense cooperation. The United States reiterated its unwavering support for the Kyrgyz Republic’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence throughout the 32 years of U.S.-Kyrgyz bilateral partnership.

Economic Partnership

The United States applauded the Kyrgyz Republic’s commitment to developing the creative economy. The participants discussed future opportunities to work together such as providing opportunities for Kyrgyzstani leaders in this field to network, exchange ideas, and demonstrate the latest trends and technologies. The participants underscored their continued commitment to grow and diversify the Kyrgyz economy, increase U.S. private sector investment, improve regional connectivity and trade, protect public health, advance partnership on critical minerals and the green economy, create economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and expand agricultural cooperation.

Civil Society and Rule of Law

The Kyrgyz Republic and the United States acknowledged media freedom, a strong civil society, respect for human rights – including the rights of women – stronger protections against gender-based violence, judicial independence, and combating corruption are integral to achieving our shared goal of a resilient, prosperous, and secure Kyrgyz Republic. The United States and the Kyrgyz Republic discussed the importance of continuing to increase cooperation through educational and English language programming. The participants noted people-to-people ties are an important element of the U.S.-Kyrgyz bilateral relationship.

Deputy Foreign Minister Moldogaziev and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim expressed their commitment to the Kyrgyz – U.S. partnership and their intention to hold the next Annual Bilateral Consultations in Washington in 2025.