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Conception of the foreign policy of the Kyrgyz Republic
This Concept is a political document which defines the main goals and strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic (KR) in the field of foreign policy, as well as the mechanisms of its implementation in the middle term.
The foreign policy of the KyrgyzRepublic is based on the provisions of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence of the state, the regulations of international law, adherence to the goals and principles of the UN and OSCE. Being an extension of internal policy, the foreign policy of the Kyrgyz Republic reflects the interests of a multi–ethnic, poly- confessional nation and is aimed at guaranteeing and securing its national sovereignty and to form favorable foreign conditions for implementation of economic and political reforms in a democratic basis.
Kyrgyzstan in the world community
Kyrgyzstan is a state of the Central Asian region. Its situation has important geopolitical and geo-economic significance as a bridge connecting West and East, as well as North and South.
At the present time Kyrgyzstan is in a period between a communistic past and a democratic future politically, economically, and ethno-historically.
Kyrgyzstan, as with the other states of Central Asia, is a place where four civilizations converge: European, mediated through Russia, Arabic-Muslim, Persian, and Chinese. On the one hand this has created favorable conditions for the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in different areas, on the other hand it underlines the necessity for a flexible and balanced foreign policy.
Kyrgyzstan is rapidly developing diplomatic and other relations with the majority of countries of the world. The KR receives practical direction and comprehensive maintenance from cooperation with global and regional organizations. Foreign policy activities of the Kyrgyz Republic are enriching. They acquire end use and network supply
1. PRIORITIES OF THE FOREIGN POLICY of the Kyrgyz Republic
Promotion of national interests by political and diplomatic means is the basis of foreign policy. In accordance with this, the following priorities have been established: · maintaining and securing sovereignty and territorial integrity;
· creating favorable foreign conditions for implementation of economic and democratic reforms;
· protecting the rights, freedom and interests of the citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
Realization of the national interests of Kyrgyzstan is maintained by developing friendly, mutually beneficial relations with neighbors, the great powers and the world organizations.
Realization of a foreign policy directed to promote national interests of Kyrgyzstan necessitates pursuit of the following basic objectives:
· strengthening stability and security within the region,
· developing neighborly relations with contiguous states and intensifying integration processes in Central Asia;
· assisting to strengthen the CIS, implementing the economic and political potential of the Commonwealth;
· strengthening the friendly connections with the developed countries of the West and the East;
· developing cooperation with the organizations that belong to the UN system, its specialized institutions, regional international organizations and its financial and economic institutions.
· strengthening the cooperation with developing countries and countries that are in the period of transition from Communism to a market economy.
II. MEANS OF THE FOREIGN POLICY of the KR
2.1 Bilateral diplomacy is an important tool for implementing foreign policy. For that, the crucial necessity is a varied approach in selection of the directions with the best prospects, that meet the cultural, ethno-historical, geopolitical and geo-economic characteristics of the country, that allow pursuit the national interests of the Kyrgyz Republic with maximum effectiveness. To provide for the territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as its security and economic development, attention to the Central Asian region is of high priority.
Strengthening cooperation with democratic, developed countries of the that assists with complex economic and political reforms, world has an exceptionally great importance for Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan and the Great Powers
Kyrgyzstan is a part of the "Eurasian civilization" that was formed around Russia that has geopolitical, economic, cultural, spiritual and linguistic dimensions. The Interlocking interests of Kyrgyzstan and Russia predestine a high level of political partnership. Strengthening military-political cooperation with the Russian Federation is an important element of Kyrgyzstan's security. Vital economic interests connect the country with Russia as well. All of this underlines the need to build a strategic partnership with Russia.
Relations with The People's Republic of China are a very important aspect of the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan. The priority given to China is determined by its growing influence in world and regional affairs, its significant economic and demographic potential, as well as its geographical proximity to Kyrgyzstan. Development of good-neighbor relations with China is an essential component of Kyrgyzstan's security, an important condition for development of communication to the South and East, as well as development of a mutually beneficial trading partnership.
The United States of America with both the largest economy and military establishment in the world, has become very active in regional affairs. Accordingly, it has become one of the top priorities of our foreign policy.
Development of mutually beneficial relations with the USA can contribute to the furtherance of social-economic and democratic reforms in Kyrgyzstan.
An important objective is to maintain balance between the political and economic components of bilateral relations through activating trade cooperation with the USA.
Kyrgyzstan is interested in the development of amicable, balanced relationships with these countries. The presence of each one is essential to our well-being.
Kyrgyzstan and neighboring counties
The status of the relations with the countries on our borders is the most immediate factor providing for security in the region and the country and for normal operation of the Kyrgyz economy, for the possibility of implementing reforms. Also, they are essential to Kyrgyzstan's access the world and to the continental infrastructure of communication. This determines the necessity to keep and develop friendly relations based on mutual understanding, mutually beneficial cooperation, and of carefully assessing the balance of our interests with the states of the region.
In this connection, our strategic objective is to intensify regional economic integration (in the framework of the CAEC) based on balanced interdependency, and to form mutual beneficial relations in use of the natural resources of the states of the region.
Limiting areas of tension and taking preventive measures against their emergence is both an immediate and long-term objective.
Bilateral, regional mechanisms, as well as multilateral structures of security on a regional and global level (CIS, OSCE, OIC, and the UN) should be used to alleviate problems of this kind.
Maintaining friendly relations with Iran and Pakistan, based on mutual understanding and mutual respect for their chosen method of development is in the interest of maintaining stability and security.
The existence of the CIS has permitted us to build authentic intergovernmental relations on a high level, as well as promoted united efforts to confront joint security threats .
The commonwealth has also contributed to protection of our common cultural-educational and information heritage.
Development of trading and economic ties in the framework of the CIS is the most important
asset to come out of the crisis of the past two decades, and has allowed us to join the world economy on acceptable conditions and which will better use the potential of the Newly Independent States.
Taking into account the common need for investment, technology and administrative experience in all of the CIS states, there is an acute need to seek common models of economic cooperation.
Kyrgyzstan's long-term interest is a step-by-step formation of a common market for goods, services, capital, and labor within the CIS.
Maintaining and consolidating scientific, technical and cultural cooperation with the states of CIS is in the interests of Kyrgyzstan.
Establishing cooperation in the fight against criminality and drug dealing, to provide legal redress in criminal and civil cases, and to solve refugee problems are an urgent tasks.
Strengthening a united military strategy in the area and improving mechanisms of collective security are also important tasks.
Kyrgyzstan and the economically developed democracies.
Developing relations between Kyrgyzstan and European countries will open the doors to the integration of our country into the community of developed, democratic countries. Implementation of this goal can be accomplished through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
Participation in the All-European process is important, particularly in OSCE for stabilization of the economy, dealing with transnational threats and for strengthening of regional security.
Fulfilling bilateral relations with Western Europe and its institutions (EU, CEC, CE, ECE) by getting concrete results, should be oriented toward addressing the tasks of the internal development of Kyrgyzstan.
Intensifying the relations with Germany, France, Switzerland, Great Britain and Turkey has prior significance in bilateral relations in the European policy of Kyrgyzstan. It is also necessary to activate the development of relations with states of Eastern Europe.
Asia-Pacific region
Intensifying a many-sided mutually beneficial cooperation with China, as well as establishing strong relations with other countries of the region (particularly with Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia) would assist implementation of economic reforms in Kyrgyzstan.
Activity in this area of foreign policy is to some extent conditioned by the interest of the states of the region and needs to provide diversification of foreign policy to Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan as a secular state with a majority of Muslims wishes to keep friendly relations with countries of Muslim world, based on mutual respect for their chosen way of development and pursuit of a policy of non interference in each other's domestic affairs.
2.2. Multilateral diplomacy. Activity within international and regional organizations is one of the priorities of the foreign policy of the Kyrgyz Republic. These multilateral mechanisms give Kyrgyzstan the opportunity to promote its national interests on an equal basis with different states and to take an active part in the process of decision making on issues concerning all mankind . These activities strengthen the position of Kyrgyzstan in the world community and serve as a certain guarantor of national security.
International organizations provide financial, technical and other foreign aid which helps to address the domestic challenges in Kyrgyzstan. Participation of Kyrgyzstan in the activities of the CIS and OSCE allows us to secure the position of our country among developed states.
The role of the United Nations is increasing in the political life of modern world. This situation prompts the need for Kyrgyzstan to take an active part in the work of the main bodies of the UN and work in close partnership with its specialized institutions – UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, as well as with the UN drug control Program and Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees.
Activation of the partnership with OSCE, OIC has great significance in providing regional security.
The needs of internal development of Kyrgyzstan require increasing effectiveness in our partnership with the World Bank and the regional banks for reconstruction and development.
Active use of the potential of the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OEC) in future may help to increase volume of external trade and to connect the country to the world communications net.
2.3. Economic diplomacy. Assistance in forming a strong economy, through bringing in international investments, integrating the Kyrgyz Republic into world and regional agricultural agreements, as well as providing economic security are one of the most important aims of our foreign economic policy.
As part of a practical plan for development of foreign economic relations it is necessary to concentrate on implementing the following goals:
· Strengthening the economic potential of the country, developing optimal economic infrastructure;
· Widening opportunities to promote import substituting production;
· Modernizing the national economy through forming a more rational production structure with a high level of processing of natural resources and raw materials;
· Retooling industries with modern technology, developing export potential for light, food, electrotechnical and mining industries;
· Integrating Kyrgyzstan into the international and regional infrastructure of transport and communication;
· Developing international tourism, on the basis of improving tourist facilities and raising the quality of service;
· Providing the most favorable conditions for trade and making sure Kyrgyzstan has access to privileged credits and grants;
· Protecting the interests of domestic business in international economic relations.
To bring in international investments and credits, we should study the political and economic consequences of implementation of investment projects to be sure that they will not harm the security of the country and will bring long-term economic benefits.
Selection of international partners (firms, non-governmental organizations) for joint realization of credit lines should be based on thorough research on their reliability and honesty.
III. Mechanism of forming and implementing foreign policy.
The main goals of foreign policy are determined by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on the base of Constitution and laws of Kyrgyzstan.
Practical realization of foreign policy under the leadership of the President is carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
By decree of the President, the MFA is the coordinating body in the area of development and implementation of foreign policy strategies, and conducting of a unified foreign policy for the Kyrgyz Republic.
For more detailed information you can visit the web site of the MFA: "Ministry of Foreign Affairs in KR"
http://www.mfa.kg
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