On August 21, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Bishkek for an official visit. On Instagram, he shared that he had arrived in the “brotherly country,” the Kyrgyz Republic.
At Manas International Airport, he was welcomed by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, according to Tengrinews.kz. A ceremonial reception was held at the airport in honor of the Kazakh President.
The visit’s program includes several events: the official opening of the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Osh, the inauguration of a branch of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, the Days of Kazakh Cinema in Kyrgyzstan, and the 3rd Kyrgyz-Kazakh Youth Forum in Bishkek. Additionally, Tokayev and Japarov will unveil the Golden Bridge of Friendship monument in Yntymak Park, Tengrinews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have intensified their cooperation throughout 2024–2025, marked by frequent ministerial meetings, new investment commitments, and joint efforts in water and energy policy. In early August, the foreign ministers of both countries initiated a 2025–2027 cooperation plan, which is expected to be approved by the presidents at the upcoming summit (Bland, S. M., 2025, August 20, via Times of Central Asia).
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sadyr Japarov, the Altyn Qyran (Golden Eagle) Order, according to the Akorda press service.
“We highly appreciate your tireless efforts toward the prosperity of Kyrgyzstan. Thanks to your balanced policies, your country has entered a new stage of development. Kyrgyzstan’s economy is showing strong growth… Your forward-looking decisions have helped strengthen peace and stability in the region. I am absolutely confident that under your wise leadership, the fraternal Kyrgyz people will achieve even greater success,” said Tokayev.
He added, “Through our joint efforts, Kazakh-Kyrgyz cooperation has gained new momentum. New initiatives have been launched to deepen our strategic partnership.”
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Sign Landmark Agreement to Boost Trade and Strengthen Ties.
The agreement was finalized during the seventh meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, where the two leaders reviewed cooperation across various sectors, including trade and economy, transport and transit, water and energy resources, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges, The Caspian Post reports via the Kazakh presidential press service.
“Relations between our two countries are developing in the spirit of alliance. Kyrgyzstan is one of Kazakhstan’s key strategic partners in the region. Bilateral trade has reached nearly $2 billion, and there is potential to increase this figure,” President Tokayev stated.
As a side note, Saida Mirziyoyeva arrived in Bishkek on August 19 to attend the Zakovat Asian Cup II on August 20. She posted on X that “Central Asia is our shared home.”
Central Asian cooperation appears to be intensifying at all levels.
It seems that the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and other regional countries such as Uzbekistan are joining hands to foster prosperity, drive development, and transform the region into a global hub connecting Asia and Europe via the Middle Corridor.
Historian and environmental management expert on Central Asia and researcher on Central Asia post-Soviet period. Journalist for EuReporter and EuReflect and Special Director of “The Gulf Observer” for Europe and Central Asia.
