On February 26, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jeenbek Kulubaev, participated in a ministerial-level meeting held in London as part of the "Central Asia – United Kingdom" format. According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the head of the UK foreign office, also participated in this event.
During the discussions, the ministers focused on strengthening dialogue in the new regional format, covering areas such as trade, economy, transport, investments, and joint efforts to counter modern challenges. A consensus was reached that the "C5+UK" format would become an important foundation for a systematic dialogue and the development of practical steps to enhance cooperation.
In his speech, Kulubaev noted that Central Asia occupies a strategically important position between Asia and Europe, possessing vast natural resources, significant human potential, and developed transport routes. He also emphasized that the peaceful resolution of Kyrgyzstan's borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan serves as an example of successful dialogue and effective interaction in Central Asia, opening new opportunities for trade and investment at both the regional level and in relations with other countries, including the United Kingdom.
Kulubaev highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral and regional ties with the United Kingdom in areas such as trade, finance, energy, transport, climate, and education. He expressed hope that the success of the "C5+UK" format would be determined by concrete projects, investments, educational initiatives, and sustainable cooperation mechanisms.
Discussing issues of sanctions, the minister expressed his concern about the negative impact of unilateral restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom on the economic and financial interactions of Central Asian countries with this state. He emphasized that Kyrgyzstan opposes the politicization of economic and commercial relations and is ready for an open dialogue to find mutually acceptable solutions.
