Ambassador Rapil Zhoshybayev: Kazakh-Kyrgyz friendship is more than political and economic interests

Representatives of the Kyrgyz government agencies, heads of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations, diplomats, public figures, representatives of the military, expert and business communities, mass media and Kazakh diaspora were invited to the event.

Addressing the guests, Kazakh Ambassador Rapil Zhoshybayev thanked the Kyrgyz authorities, President and Government of Kyrgyzstan for the support and joint work. He highlighted that Kazakhstan carries out peaceful, well-balanced and constructive foreign policy.

“Our international partners highly appreciate the peacekeeping role of our President and Kazakhstan's contribution to maintaining security and peace in the region. Adhering to the principle of "Successful Central Asia - Successful Kazakhstan", Astana intends to further contribute to the development of the regional cooperation for maintaining stability in the region,” the Ambassador said.

“Kazakh-Kyrgyz friendship is more than mutual political and economic interests,” the Diplomat stressed.

In his words, the two nations have common folklore, language, household life, religion and traditions.

“Our peoples share numerous common values, sung by their great sons such as Mukhtar Auezov and Chingiz Aitmatov, Kenen Azerbayev and Osmonkul Bolebalayev, Zhambyl Zhabayev and Toktogul Satylganov, Shokan Ualikhanov and Boranbai Bi,” he emphasized.

Rapil Zhoshybayev pointed out that over the years of their independent development, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have demonstrated the inviolability of centuries-old ties of friendship and good neighborly relations, which is confirmed by the Treaty of Eternal Friendship and the Treaty of Allied Relations.

It was noted that throughout many years, Kazakhstan has consistently been among the "three" largest trading partners of Kyrgyzstan with a trade turnover of $1.3 billion.

Secretary of State of Kyrgyzstan Suyunbek Kasmambetov congratulated Kazakhstan on this important date and noted the important role of interaction of the two countries’ intellectuals, who contribute to strengthening the mutual understanding and cooperation of the fraternal nations. He underscored the growing number of joint governmental events reflecting the development of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations.

“In 2019, we held nine events, and in 2020 their number reached 11, in 2021 – 29, and in 2022 – 80. This year, their number exceeded 100. All of these reflect the level of cooperation of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation,” the Kyrgyz Secretary of State said.

Vice Rector for Science of the Diplomatic Academy of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry, professor Zainidin Kurmanov congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the Republic Day and noted that the Kyrgyz-Kazakh relations have centuries-long history,

“More than 60 international treaties have been signed between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan,” he said.

The expert noted that the two countries observe today a new stage of development based on the principles of democracy, equality, cooperation and interaction, and hailed the large-scale democratic reforms carried out by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on liberalization of the legislation.

The guests also enjoyed a concert program and were offered to taste traditional Kazakh cuisine.