Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic
Please reflect on the main achievements of two countries in these three decades. What were the challenges?
I would like to note with pleasure that this year we are celebrating 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Kyrgyz Republic. An example of peace, mutual support, and cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, a sense of strong friendship, deep solidarity, spiritual and cultural values of our fraternal peoples. In general, relations between our friendly countries have a fairly solid foundation for further development and strengthening.
Political cooperation is characterized by the absence of disagreements and has recently been “gaining momentum,” with the first official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to the Kyrgyz Republic. A landmark and bright event in our country’s foreign policy became an additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations. During the visit, HRH Prince Faisal was received by His Excellency Sadyr Zhaparov, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, and he also met with His Excellency Akylbek Zhaparov, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Kyrgyz Republic has a firm intention to develop consistent and mutually beneficial cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the political, inter-parliamentary, trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as in other areas of mutual interest, which certainly requires political and diplomatic support at all stages.
Investments play an important role in enhancing trade cooperation. Why should Saudi entrepreneurs invest in Kyrgyzstan?
The Kyrgyz Republic has great potential in trade, industry, agriculture, investment, joint ventures, energy, green economy, healthcare, education, and tourism, which is attractive in terms of investment cooperation. Although the trade turnover between our countries is still insignificant, which is associated with problems in the logistics of delivering goods, we have opportunities for its development and increase. Creating favorable conditions for doing business and protecting foreign investors’ interests is one of the priorities of the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic. Thus, one of the first decrees signed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. S. Zhaparov, was the Decree “On Support for Property, Entrepreneurs and Investors,” aimed at stimulating sustainable economic growth.
In terms of bilateral trade and investment, to support small and medium-sized businesses, the first Kyrgyz-Saudi Business Forum was held in Riyadh in February 2022. As a result, several commercial agreements were signed between the two countries’ business circles. The next forum is planned to be held in Kyrgyzstan, and the issue of holding the third meeting of the Kyrgyz-Saudi Joint Intergovernmental Committee on High-Level Cooperation in Riyadh is also being considered.
One of the main goals of Saudi Vision 2030 is an oil-diversified economy. Apart from oil, what would you consider as a strong asset of Saudi Arabia?
First, I would call the Saudis, their sons, and daughters the most valuable wealth of the Kingdom, the strongest asset of Saudi Arabia. Secondly, Saudi Arabia is the land of two holy mosques, thanks to which the Kingdom is located in the heart of the Arab and Islamic world. Third, Saudi Arabia uses its investment power to create a more diverse and sustainable economy. Last but not least, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its strategic position to become an integral engine of international trade and connect three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe.
In 2021, the Embassy organized a number of events to introduce local community with Kyrgyz history, culture, and traditions. What makes Kyrgyzstan an attractive tourism destination in general, and for Saudis in particular?
The tourism sector appears very attractive for strengthening the cooperation potential. Thus, since February 2022, for the first time in history, direct charter flights have been opened between the two countries on the Bishkek-Jeddah-Bishkek, Osh-Jeddah-Osh, Bishkek-Medina-Bishkek, and Osh-Medina-Osh routes. In the near future, we expect the opening of direct flights that will connect the two friendly countries. Moreover, a 60-day visa-free regime has been established for Saudi visitors, and up to 8,000 Saudi tourists visit Kyrgyzstan annually.
Tourism is one of the priority sectors of the economy of the Kyrgyz Republic, with rich natural, recreational and ecological potential. Kyrgyzstan houses famous mountain peaks such as Pobeda, Lenin, Khan Tengri, one of the longest glaciers, Enylchek, and a pearl of nature – Lake Issyk-Kul. In addition, there are dozens of resorts and recreational areas, mountain tourism and climbing areas, large reserves of therapeutic mud, a wealth of mineral and thermal springs, ecologically clean and almost untouched by civilization landscapes. The country is rich in historical past; the Great Silk Road passed through it, in addition to more than five thousand monuments of history and culture.
As an ambassador, how do you see your contribution in strengthening bilateral ties, given your extensive professional experience, including the position of the Prime Minister?
During my diplomatic mission, I will make every effort to implement the tasks assigned to me by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to expand and deepen relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in various fields. I have all the conditions to meet and negotiate with the authorities of Saudi Arabia directly and solve the tasks assigned to me. In addition, extensive professional experience, including as Prime Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, also helps in my diplomatic activities, as I am personally and directly familiar with the problems and opportunities of our country’s entire complex of socio-economic development.
The Diplomatic Quarter hosts most of the embassies and foreign missions in the Kingdom. How can the DQ concept contribute to the development of multilateral diplomacy within the KSA?
The Diplomatic Quarter is an unconditional manifestation of Saudi Arabia’s deep respect for diplomats and their families, for whom all favorable conditions have been created for ease of work, security, and life. Furthermore, the DQ concept plays an important role in developing multilateral diplomacy in Saudi Arabia, promoting interethnic and intercultural communication. Cultural events within the framework of DQ allow us to get to know each other, communicate, and exchange views in an informal setting, including on international politics.
One such event took place on March 5, when the Embassies of the Turkic-speaking states of Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan jointly organized the Spring Festival 2022, dedicated to the spring equinox – “Nooruz,” which means “New Day.” Residents of the DQ, foreign diplomats, and guests of the festival were introduced to the rich history, authentic culture, traditions, and customs of the peoples of Central Asia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.
