Kyrgyzstan, Russia Celebrate 25 Years of Eternal Friendship and Strategic Alliance

Kyrgyzstan and Russia have recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on Eternal Friendship, Alliance, and Partnership, a landmark document that laid the foundation for strong bilateral ties between the two nations.

Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Sergei Vakunov reflected on a quarter-century of cooperation and outlined priorities for the future, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kyrgyz media.

Signed in 2000 by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Askar Akayev, the declaration became the political bedrock of a durable alliance that has weathered numerous global and regional challenges.

“Russia and Kyrgyzstan have gone through many trials, yet we have always stood together, supporting one another on key issues like security, the economy, and humanitarian cooperation,” Vakunov stated.

The ambassador highlighted the high level of political trust between Moscow and Bishkek, nurtured through frequent meetings at the presidential, ministerial, and parliamentary levels.

He also pointed to the growing interest of Russian companies in Kyrgyzstan’s economy - particularly in energy, industry, and agriculture.

“Russia brings not only investments, but also technologies and projects that drive development and create jobs,” Vakunov noted.

In the educational and humanitarian spheres, the ambassador praised the role of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, efforts to build new Russian-language schools, and active collaboration within international organizations including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Economic ties continue strengthening: in 2024, bilateral trade topped $3.2 billion, reflecting a 30 per cent increase from 2022. Russia remains Kyrgyzstan’s largest trading partner and a top investor, with cumulative investments exceeding $1.5 billion in 2023.

Concluding the interview, Vakunov expressed confidence in the future of the Kyrgyzstan-Russia relations:

“We are not just partners - we are time-tested allies. Together, we respond to challenges and build a common future.”