AKIPRESS.COM - Ambassador of Russia to Kyrgyzstan Nikolai Udovichenko outlined bilateral relations and shared plans for the next year in an interview with AKIpress news agency.

— How would you assess the current dynamics of bilateral relations?

— I have great respect for the journalistic activities carried out by the AKIpress news agency, and I will be happy to share my vision of the situation.

In 2023, despite difficult foreign policy conditions, cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan continued to develop dynamically at the political level, a clear confirmation of this was the active exchange of visits, including at the presidential level.

Our allied relations are reinforced by coinciding interests and participation in joint integration associations, primarily in the Eurasian Economic Union. The EAEU is becoming a key factor in ensuring socio-economic stability and forms guidelines for further development. In October in Bishkek, the heads of government of the EAEU countries approved the criteria for the selection and financing of industrial projects from the Union budget. We are preparing to launch common markets for gas, oil and petroleum products, as well as electricity.

Ordinary citizens feel the benefits of participation in the EAEU in the context of labor migration, getting the opportunity to work without additional permits, counting their work experience upon retirement, and receiving free medical care. Within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, we set tasks to ensure regional stability and jointly fight such acute challenges and threats as terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking. In this regard, the creation of a joint air defense system is also an important step. We positively assess the results of Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship in the CIS, one of the final chords of which was the adoption of the decision to create an International Russian Language Organization.

— What achievements do you see in development of economic ties between Kyrgyzstan and Russia in 2023? What steps are made to strengthen investment cooperation?

— I have always been convinced that the economic component should support our cooperation as much as possible. Today we have intensified our work to diversify foreign trade relations, focusing on implementation of large investment projects, as well as expansion of industrial cooperation.

Russia actively supports the decisions of the Eurasian Development Bank and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, which have begun implementing large-scale infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan, including in the field of hydropower. The largest of them include construction of the Kulanak hydroelectric power plant, modernization of the Kambar-Ata-2 hydropower plant, construction of the Aral-Suusamyr highway, and expansion of the water supply network in Osh region. The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund has also sharply intensified its activities - over the year, the volume of project financing has increased 2.5 times and today amounts to $150 million. In October, a Russian-Kyrgyz interregional conference was held in Jalal-Abad, where deals for $3.5 billion were signed. At the same time, our countries are increasingly switching to national currencies in mutual settlements and building stable channels of credit and banking cooperation.

— Russia regularly provides assistance to Kyrgyzstan. What concrete measures of support can you highlight in 2023?

— An important step, as I see it, was the agreement reached to begin supplies of electricity from Russia to Kyrgyzstan in April, the volume of which is planned to be increased to 1.5 billion kWh next year. I am convinced that this will significantly reduce the energy deficit in the country. Quotas for duty-free fuel supplies from Russia to Kyrgyzstan have been increased. The Government of the Russian Federation has approved allocation of $15 million to continue implementation of the school meals program in Kyrgyzstan in 2023-2026. A symbolic step was donation by the Russian side of 40 firefighting tankers based on KamAZ and a Mi-8-MTV-1 mine rescue helicopter for the needs of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan. In December, with the support of Russia, the transfer of 107 units of equipment, including ambulances, to the healthcare care organizations of the republic took place. A decision was also made to continue financial, logistical and organizational assistance to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan in the fight against illicit drug trafficking in 2023-2025.

— In your view, does Kyrgyzstan follow the Western sanctions policy for Russia?

— We are well aware that Western countries are putting pressure on Kyrgyzstan, demanding from the country to join illegal anti-Russian sanctions. By interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, they demonstrate their imaginary superiority and disrespect towards them.

We understand the balanced position taken by the leadership of Kyrgyzstan.

In conditions of new, so to speak, geopolitical turbulence, our countries continue to actively interact, including in trade and economic sphere. Measures are taken to create new mechanisms for mutually beneficial cooperation that will not depend on the whims of the collective West.

— Russian politicians at various levels directly say that after Ukraine it will be the turn of the Central Asian countries. What do you think about it?

— It is difficult to comment on the creation of an inflamed consciousness. For us, relations with the countries of Central Asia are a self-sufficient value. We are interested in strengthening peace and stability in the region. I believe that our actions in practice indicate precisely this approach.

— What steps are undertaken to develop educational ties between countries? Are there new projects aimed at exchanging personnel and strengthening humanitarian ties?

— Largely thanks to similarity of spiritual and moral values between Russia and Kyrgyzstan, bilateral cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is intensively developing. In 2023, the reform of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University was launched. We intend to return the university to its flagship position in the field of higher education in Kyrgyzstan, including through introduction of joint training programs with Russian universities. For this purpose, a new intergovernmental agreement was signed on the conditions of operation of this university. A team under the leadership of the new rector has already begun work at the university. In the near future, it is planned to create a pedagogical faculty and a Child Health Center within the KRSU.

Russia's decision to build 9 schools with Russian language of instruction in all regions of Kyrgyzstan attracted public attention. First of all, schools will be built in Bishkek, Batken and Karakol. The humanitarian project “Russian Teacher Abroad” is expanding, within the framework of which more than 100 teachers from Russia have been sent to schools in the republic in the current academic year. Of course, for Kyrgyzstanis there remains the opportunity to study free of charge at Russian universities within the framework of the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation. For the 2023/2024 academic year it was increased to 1000 places.

An initiative to open a branch of Moscow State University in Karakol is also under active development.

I would like to note that there are many bright and talented young people in Kyrgyzstan who take an active part in international projects being implemented in Russia. We take this opportunity to invite young people to the World Youth Festival, which will take place in March 2024. An extensive program will be organized for the participants, which will begin in Sochi, and then they will visit Russian cities, where they will be able to get acquainted with the cultural and national diversity of Russia and visit various national economic facilities.

— What would you like to wish to Kyrgyzstanis in coming year?

— First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our Kyrgyz colleagues for their productive joint work in 2023. We hope that the high dynamics will continue next year and will contribute to the further development of allied relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan for the benefit of citizens of our states.

In the New Year, I wish all Kyrgyz people good health, new achievements and prosperity. Let this comine year be successful and happy, bring joy and prosperity to your home!