Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to hold talks in Moscow with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Jeenbek Kulubaev. The foreign ministers will discuss the tasks facing the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) during Bishkek’s chairmanship, along with other pressing topics.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, highlighted several areas of focus, including Eurasian integration, global and regional security, and the coordination of joint efforts on international platforms.
“A cooperation program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan for 2025–2027 is set to be signed. I am confident that the visit of Kyrgyzstan's foreign minister to Russia will further strengthen the strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries,” Zakharova announced.
Priorities of Kyrgyzstan’s CSTO Chairmanship
Since January, Bishkek has assumed the CSTO chairmanship from Astana amid internal challenges within the organization. Yerevan has previously decided to suspend its participation in CSTO activities, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Armenia’s leadership may reconsider its stance in the future. Prospects for resolving these internal disagreements are expected to feature in discussions, along with Bishkek’s priorities for its chairmanship this year.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has outlined several priorities for 2025, including enhancing the CSTO’s peacekeeping potential, boosting the role of the CSTO secretary-general’s special representative for peacekeeping, and improving cooperation among member states to counter the use of modern information technologies by extremist and terrorist organizations. Special attention will also be given to commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II. President Putin has invited CSTO leaders and military contingents to the May 9 parade in Moscow, an invitation Japarov has accepted.
Bilateral Relations
In addition to the CSTO agenda, the talks are expected to delve into bilateral issues. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Eternal Friendship, Alliance, and Partnership between Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Trade between the two nations continues to grow, with Bishkek aiming to increase annual trade turnover to $5 billion. The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund is advancing 36 projects worth $165 million, with plans for 2025. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has emphasized the importance of expediting joint projects in transport, logistics, industrial and agricultural cooperation, and the digital economy. Both countries have recorded positive progress in implementing the 2022–2026 cooperation roadmap.
However, sensitive issues remain, particularly labor migration. In 2024, remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers exceeded $2.5 billion. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov has identified migration as a critical social aspect of bilateral relations, calling for strategic approaches to address it—from maintaining public order to organizing migration flows effectively. This and other bilateral issues are expected to be addressed during the ministers’ discussions.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS