The third quarter of 2007 was a very important period for the Kyrgyz government. A number of high level and important international events were held which strengthened the government's position in international affairs and enabled it to develop its foreign policy.

The main event for Kyrgyz foreign policy, not only in the third quarter but also in the whole year, was the SCO summit. The summit was held in Bishkek on 16-17 of August.

The financial and technical support from China of 50 mln Yuan solved the organizational and operational issues, which were initially raised by both the "hosts" and the other participant SCO states. Several Kyrgyz security departments in consultation with Russian security services provided security at the summit. The Russian minister of internal affairs R.Nurgaliev visited Bishkek in July in the run-up to the summit to exchange information and provide support regarding security arrangements.

The several hot political topics in the run up to the summit: the American airbase at Manas Airport, situation in Afganistan, Iranian nuclear dossier, US-Russia chilled relations, etc. failed to cause any controversy at the meeting.

The summit went smoothly without any controversy. The heads of the SCO states chose to take a non-confrontational stance regarding western countries and the US. Many important documents were signed: The President signed the ‘Treaty of a Long Term Neighborhood', ‘Friendship and Cooperation', ‘The Bishkek Declaration', ‘Joint Communiqué of Summit' and other documents, including two agreements: cultural cooperation among the SCO states and cooperation between the SCO Business Council and SCO Interbank Association.

The Russian President's proposal to hold a special conference focusing on Afghanistan during the next summit in 2008 was among the new initiatives raised at the summit, which received broad approval from the SCO group.
Many experts commented on the invitation of the President of Turkmenistan, G. Berdymuhammedov by the President of Kyrgyzstan, K. Bakiev- the Head of the SCO summit. This invitation was considered to be connected with the idea to develop and establish an energy club rather than an intention to involve Turkmenistan as a member of the SCO. However, commentators identify a number of important issues and potential problems connected with the development of an energy club, the most significant of which being the involvement in that group of both energy production countries and countries which import a high percentage of their energy.

Analysis of Foreign Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic prepared by Erlan Abdyldaev, IPP expert

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