Major events:

In general, the foreign policy activity of Kyrgyzstan during the first half of 2008, in one expert's opinion, has sustained positive dynamics.

The first priority, unlike for previous years, involved relations of Kyrgyzstan with its neighboring countries in Central Asia. Thus, in the context of the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, officially supporting the idea expressed by the President of Kazakhstan about the creation of Central Asian alliance, and the President of Uzbekistan just as officially denying this idea, the problem of water relations is distinctly revealed, in particular due to a cycle of water shortage.

It is worth noting that the intensification of argument on the water theme has a much wider context than just the discharge of water from the Toktogul and Nurek water reservoirs. It is also related to the construction of Hydro Power Stations on the Naryn and Vaksh rivers. Negotiations and statements by Heads of state during the last six months have demonstrated that the water issue in Central Asia has begun to be internationalized - more and more states and international organizations are starting to get involved in the process.

Issues concerning interaction with global centers and attempting to restore balance in relations with them were also included in the agenda.

***

The most animated discussions in society were about Kyrgyz-Kazakh relations. The main issues discussed were the interaction and cooperation in the following sectors:  water and energy resource relations, border controls, the involvement of Kazakh capital in natural resources, mining operations, finance and banking, construction and telecommunications in Kyrgyzstan.

Lively discussions and close  public scrutiny was aroused due to the issue of Kazakh ownership of four recreational hotels located at lake Issykkul, the situation of Kyrgyz labor migrants in Kazakhstan and the promotion of Kyrgyz commodities in Kazakh markets of and their further transit to Russia.

Despite numerous meetings on various levels and the signing of a large number of bilateral agreements relations in the spheres listed above, many issues still remain open and periodically result in the deterioration of bilateral relations.

Certain hopes for the resolution of a number of issues were put upon the official visit of Kurmanbek Bakiev to the Republic of Kazakhstan that took place on April 17^th.

Eduard Poletaev, a famous Kazakh political scientist, stated that in his opinion, when commenting on the imminent meeting of the two leaders "Kurmanbek Bakiev is going to Kazakhstan with a previously determined package of proposals and a similar counter package already exists in Astana".

"No radically new changes are possible because there has been nothing new in the relationship between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan nor any prerequisites to something new. The majority of problems are long-playing ones that are related to the border that has been discussed for more than a year and the situation with resorts. In other words, I want to say that there are no challenges especially because there are no events in foreign policy that would cause Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to express at least some type of reaction. It will be an internal Turkic dialogue of brotherly nations, their leaders, with no surprises" - commented Mr. Poletaev.

In his turn, Kyrgyzstani political scientist Nur Omarov stated the following: "I can say that it is Kazakhstan that is interested in relations with us. Here I can say that last spring, the President of Kazakhstan put forward an initiative for reviving the integration processes, in particular,  the creation of a network of intergovernmental councils, which I call network integration".

"This is not simply a visit of one government's leader to another one; this is actually the beginning of the operation of the Intergovernmental council of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which has great importance for both states. In particular, this gives new drive and impulse to restoring the integration processes in the region, which in effect finished in 2005" -Nur Omarov emphasized.

Special interests in the meeting of two leaders was due to the Agreement on the border and  the Agreement concerning four Isykkul resorts - passed on to Kazakhstan - signed on the eve of the aforementioned event.

Both agreements were under consideration back in 2003. However, unlike our Kazakh colleagues that ratified these agreements in one year, Kyrgyz members of Parliaments of both convocations refused to undertake this step. Despite the active protest and criticism of both agreements by the opposition, the new Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, mainly due to domination of "Ak-Jol" Pro-Presidential Party, in the end contrived to pass a ratification of both agreements.

In the course of negotiations in Astana special attention was appealed to the promotion of an idea of the President of Kazakhstan about the creation of an Alliance of Central-Asian states. Nursultan Nazarbaev stated that Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan were united in their position on the creation of an Alliance of Central-Asian states.

"Kazakhstan is a top country investing in development of Kyrgyz economics. New joint enterprises and new jobs are created. The positive trend of developing mutual trade-economic and investment relations is evident" - said Nursultan Nazarbaev.

In his turn, the President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev confirmed that the position of Kyrgyzstan on the issue of the creation of an alliance of Central-Asian states was unchanged - the Kyrgyz party considers that its creation is necessary and fully supports the idea that such an Alliance would contribute to strengthening of the process of integration between countries in the region.

Summarizing results of his visit to Kazakhstan, President Kurmanbek Bakiev noted that in the course of the visit they had managed to resolve several specific questions. For example, a previous agreement with Kazakhstan about the supply of 50 thousand tons of grain to Kyrgyzstan has remained in force despite a ban introduced in Kazakhstan on the export of grains  due to a growth of world prices.

Besides, additionally 300 thousand tons of bread grain will be supplied from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan during 2008. In order to ease the mutual visits of citizens of both countries the Kazakh side has supported proposal by Kyrgyzstan about the mutual extension of a residency period without registration for up to 90 days. Also an agreement about the shipment of crude oil from Kazakhstan to the oil processing plant in Jalalabat city was made. A special focus was given to the development of investment and of economic cooperation. The soonest launch of Kyrgyz-Kazakh investment fund and further implementation of joint strategic projects were addressed, in particular Kyrgyz interest in the "Turkmenistan-China" gas pipeline, about the participation of Kazakhstan in the funding and construction of a second thread for the main gas pipeline from Buharskiy gas region to Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty running through the Kyrgyz Republic's territory.

 "Thus, practically all issues raised by our delegation met the full understanding of Nursultan Nazarbaev and the Government of Kazakhstan" - says Kurmanbek Bakiev.

The expert community gave a positive evaluation of the results of the official visit of Kurmanbek Bakiev to Kazakhstan. Parties made certain steps towards each other in resolution of a number of specific issues.

Along with that there are still significant contradictions in the positions of parties on key issues of bilateral relations - full-energy resource complex, water problems and transport. Besides, issues of the border and four Issykkul recreational hotels are not completely off the agenda and will probably be periodically discussed.

"The general public is not aware of the conditions in which the agreement between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was signed. Unfortunately, a number of similar situations emerge due to vague and insufficient disclosure of information on actions undertaken by our government on behalf of the public and the government. If all these aspects were transparent, fewer questions would arise" -, Nurbek Elebaev, economic expert, managing director, chair of the Board of Directors of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange comments.

***

In the first half of 2008, problematic issues in Kyrgyz-Tajik relations intensified. Conflicts among residents of border regions became more frequent and of a larger scope due to usage of land and water resources.

The largest and most vivid example took place on March 26^th when over 150 citizens of Tajikistan led by the hakim [county head] of Isfarinskiy region and representatives of reinforcement bodies stormed into Kyrgyzstan's territory in order to destroy a dam preventing irrigation of their fields. The conflict was resolved thanks to efforts and compromises by both countries. At the same time, the fact that problems in bilateral relations are not resolved at the negotiation table but by the application of force, with a violation of the state border line and a direct participation of official and reinforcement bodies in the conflict raises concerns.

For relieving tension in bilateral relations and to prevent similar situations in the future, on May 16^th Kyrgyz President Bakiev made a working visit to the bordering city of Hodjent at the invitation of Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan.

While commenting on the meeting of the Kyrgyz and Tajik leaders, the President of the Institute for Public Policy, Muratbek Imanaliev said: "I doubt that the Presidents can have serious discussions about economic cooperation because frankly speaking I see no other serious channels for this type of cooperation between the two countries except in near-border opportunities. And of course they will talk about how Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan must survive the next winter.

This prognosis came true and based on the results of negotiations held, corresponding agencies received an assignment to advance a legal description of the state border line between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. There was a desire expressed to organize the negotiation process as effectively and as actively as possible.

Moreover, in order to prevent conflict on economic issues in near-border regions, the Presidents have assigned the governments of their countries to develop and to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement about Forbidden Economic Activity along the Line of State Border until Completion of its Delimitation and Demarcation, as well as  an Intergovernmental Agreement of the Lease of Pastures on KR territory. For an efficient resolution of these problems both countries also agreed on the creation of joint administrative groups for near-border regions.

The Presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and organization of water-energy resource policy of their countries. There were assignments given to the corresponding institutions of both countries to run mutual supplies of electricity as needed and upon seasonal needs, and to study a project for the construction of power transmission lines in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for supplying electricity to third countries. Also, there was an assignment given to put efforts into signing a 4 state Intergovernmental Protocol about the Usage of Water-Energy Resources of the Naryn-Syrdarya Cascade of Water Reservoirs for the years of 2008-2010.

In the course of negotiations there was also a wide circle of issues discussed related to the implementation of agreements signed during the official visit of the Tajik President to Kyrgyzstan in September, 2007 as well as the future development of a bilateral political, economic, border and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. Part of the negotiations was a discussion on the agenda of the upcoming SCO Summit in Tajikistan.

Practical results of the meeting included the creation of Intergovernmental Coordination Council of the KR and RT as well as a Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the KR and RT. Analogous structures, as known, have been established in 2007 between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, which based on the words of Kurmanbek Bakiev gave the "opportunity to resolve important issues for both governments in short periods".

***

Kyrgyz-Russian relations in the first half of 2008 were developing smoothly and stably, as many experts noted,. At the same time in the beginning of the year bilateral relations were clouded due to a sequence of assassinations and attacks on Kyrgyz citizens living and working in Russia committed by skinheads and an incident with the detention of Russian military officers of the Kant Air Base by Kyrgyz police. Parties put all efforts for clearance of the conflict, however it is still early to speak about full resolution of problems especially related to residence of Kyrgyz citizens in Russia. However it did not deteriorate bilateral relations of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

After the election of the new President in Russian on March 2^nd, many Kyrgyz experts shared their opinion that accession of Dmitri Medvedev to this position will hardly result in radical changes in established Kyrgyz-Russian relations, however by no means will that lead to any new details and tonality.

The matter that countries were striving to mutually profit from bilateral cooperation was brought up during the first negotiations of the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Russia on June 6^th when Kurmanbek Bakiev participated in an informal summit of CIS countries in St. Petersburg.

During negotiations, the Russian President gave a high evaluation of relations between countries and emphasized: "I am happy to meet you and to have an opportunity to discuss the current state of cooperation. We have many interesting joint projects, some of them are already being implemented and some are still under discussion. Trade-economic cooperation is dynamically developing, there is a real growth of goods circulation and it has lately increased by 50 percent, which has a positive outcome on the development of mutually beneficial bilateral relations between Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

In his response speech, Kurmanbek Bakiev congratulated Dmitri Medvedev with an official accession to office of the state and wished him success in such a responsible position.

"Russia takes second place in the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan and relations between our states are regarded as of paramount importance. The result of a mutual economic cooperation is a real growth of goods circulating between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. If before we were only speaking about some joint projects then lately they have found their practical realization" - said the President of Kyrgyzstan.

The heads of the two states have discussed trade-economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia and the further expansion of the participation of Russian companies in investment projects in Kyrgyzstan and also several aspects of humanitarian cooperation.

Dmitri Medvedev gave his word to Kurmanbek Bakiev that Russian officials will undertake strict measures for a suppression of international crime . During the meeting there was also an agreement reached that the President of Russia will make an official visit to Kyrgyzstan prior to the CIS autumn summit.

JK Deputy, and member of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan Bakyt Beshimov forecast the future development of Kyrgyz-Russian relations in the following: "For a rapidly growing Russia, Kyrgyzstan represents an interest as one of the SCO states, one among a number of states from the Post-Soviet space. I do not think that our relations will change radically nor positively. They will go by inertia. Especially if we are to look at what was achieved during the session of intergovernmental agreements, it is obvious that many decisions are not implemented. Official figures of Russia have frequently stated this.

"The establishment of positive relations depends not only on Russia itself but also on the  political management of Kyrgyzstan. Here, the position of Kyrgyzstan plays the main role. Russia has already set the pace and has indicated its position on the Post Soviet space and on Central Asia. Now the issue is in how our political management will react to it" - the Social-Democrat noted.

In his turn, former KR State Secretary Ishenbai Abdurazakov expressed his vision of further Kyrgyz-Russian relations: "The main principle is the development of relations based on equality. In a legal context that sounds good, but in practice real equality is barely possible. In any case, one must try to observe mutual interests.

"Each country is pursuing its own interests and despite the fact that many think of Kyrgyzstan as of a powerless state, it can't be identified as an absolutely dependent one. Our country must continue the development of relations with Russia on the grounds of what is more profitable to us and in no case should we miss a chance of getting some dividends" - noted Abdurazakov.

***

During the reporting period, Kyrgyz-American relations have also been developing smoothly and stably but less actively than in the case with CA states and Russia.

Excluding the scheduled replacement of the US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan no other significant events in bilateral relations were noted. The agenda of Kyrgyz-American relations remained unchanged; and the problem of the US Air Base in Manas airport still remains the most dominating issue in these relations.

The visit of George Krol, Deputy Assistant of the US State Secretary, to Kyrgyzstan on June 19-20 was devoted to issues of the US Air Base in Manas and a number of other bilateral issues.

It is worth noting that several days prior to his arrival, some Kyrgyzstani publications disseminated information that during negotiations the American party was supposedly going to ask for an additional 300 hectares of land from Kyrgyzstan for the construction of new air base structures.

However in the course of the meeting with the Prime-Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Igor Chudinov, George Krol said that the US was not raising the question about expansion of the airbase but was rather asking for an opportunity for the redeployment of parking spaces for the Antiterrorist Coalition military planes to ensure the safety of civilian airline routes in Manas airport.

Information that the American Party did not request allocation of the additional 300 hectares of land was also confirmed by Igor Chudinov. He also noted that the Government places high value on a visit of President Kurmanbek Bakiev to the US planned for autumn. Igor Chudinov also expressed his hopes that the US government would make a positive decision on opening up a Consulate-General of Kyrgyzstan in New York.

In response to this, George Krol stated that the United States is ready to provide the utmost economic assistance to Kyrgyzstan for ensuring food security and fighting inflation.

It is worth noting that shortly before George Krol's visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ednan Karabaev made a statement about the US Air Base in Manas airport.

"The antiterrorist Coalition's Base in Manas airport meets the national interests of Kyrgyzstan and the Central-Asian region in general" - he stated on May 15^th while visiting OSCE Academy in Bishkek and taking students' questions.

Ednan Karabaev also stressed that the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan remains multivectored and balanced, which is evident by the cooperation of the republic with the OSCE and NATO, in the restoration of Afghanistan, as well as with Collective Security Treaty Organization.

According to Ednan Karabaev, the existence of two military bases in Kyrgyzstan, representing two traditionally opposing organizations demonstrates that the republic leads its "own and independent" foreign policy . The head of the foreign policy institution also emphasized that the priority of the policy was the resolution of national interests of the republic. Moreover, with globalization each government has its share of responsibility for the overall situation in the world.

 Former Secretary of the Security Council Miroslav Niyazov, while commenting on development of the situation around US Air Base in Kyrgyzstan stated: "I think that now we need to hide our ambitions and when it comes down to issues with foreign airbases we need to proceed based on our needs and then fight for sustained regional security".

"Besides one should not forget that the Coalition forces bringing order to Afghanistan is a subject of interest and benefit to all states in the region. All of us need equally to maintain stability and security" - emphasized Miroslav Niyazov.

In turn, Kyrgyz military expert Leonid Bondarets, expressed the following: "I think that this airbase is not providing security in Kyrgyzstan although our former and acting civil servants argue that it is helping to fight terrorism. There are opinions that the military presence in our country is used by Americans not for fighting terrorism per se. The main objective of being present in Kyrgyzstan is to draw our country out of the influence of China and Russia."

In the context of conflicting expert opinions on certain aspects of a general cooperation of Kyrgyzstan and the US, Kyrgyz-American relations are slowly turning towards constructive dialogue after several years of "slackness". At the same time according to a number of experts, it is still early to speak about the full restoration of Kyrgyz-American relations. A lot will depend on the stability of KR management's position on Manas Air Base in the course of the SCO Summit in Dushanbe and on a visit of the KR President K.Bakiev to the USA .

***

In Kyrgyz-Chinese relations a whole range of events have occurred within the first half of 2008 that gripped the attention of experts. On May 20^th, President Kurmanbek Bakiev hosted a Parliamentary delegation of the People's Republic of China led by the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Mr. Han Qide.  

During a meeting with the Chinese guest, Kurmanbek Bakiev stressed that the Kyrgyz Republic places great importance to a meeting for strategic bilateral cooperation with the People's Republic of China. The head of state also expressed his condolences to the Chinese in regard to the recent earthquake in China and said that Kyrgyzstan had deployed 120 tons of  humanitarian cargo.

Mister Han Qide expressed his gratitude to the President of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiev for providing  assistance to China in connection with the earthquake. Touching upon the development of cooperation in the sphere of transport communications, Mr. Han Qide noted that it had been necessary for parties to focus on the development of a China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan automobile trunk road as well as on the organization of a feasibility study of China -Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railroad to have a foundation for implementation of this project.

Mr. Han Qide invited Kr President Kurmanbek Bakiev to participate in the Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games in Beijing in August. Kurmanbek Bakiev accepted the invitation and emphasized that Kyrgyzstan places great importance in the Olympic Games and will take the most active participation in them. In the course of meetings, there were also issues related to the development of trade-economic cooperation between the two countries, of ensuring regional security and stability, and the progress of preparation of the Beijing Olympiad discussed.

In the first half of 2008, serious advances took place in the implementation of the enormous construction project of China - Kyrgyz - Uzbek railroad highway. In Bishkek the second session of the Kyrgyz-Chinese expert group operation of which had been postponed for many years took place from June 25^th to 29^th of 2008.

Based on the results of negotiations, the Kyrgyz side made a decision about the necessity of signing an Intergovernmental Agreement "About the construction of the Chinese - Kyrgyz - Uzbek Railroad and Highway" and also the necessity of opening up a representation office of the Railroad Ministry of PRC in Bishkek and a representation office of "NK "KTJ" [Kyrgyz Trans Railroad National Company] State Enterprise in Beijing.

The Kyrgyz Party suggested organizing the next meeting of the expert group with a wider membership and participation of authorized officials in the first week of August of 2008 in Beijing for discussion and for coordination of the Intergovernmental Agreement.

In general, Kyrgyz - Chinese relations in this period went very well and more is planned for discussion at the next SCO summit in Dushanbe.

***

Dynamics of relations with European countries have not undergone significant change within this reporting period. In the course of meetings and negotiations held during this period, the Kyrgyz party mainly raised the issue of mobilization of European States in various Kyrgyzstani projects.

 On April 26^th, there was a meeting held of Kurmanbek Bakiev with the OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.

While greeting the honored guest, the head of the state noted that Kyrgyzstan had a very wide spectrum of cooperation with the OSCE.

"Cooperation is developing fairly successfully in providing security, freedom of speech and economic development. Kyrgyzstan is following closely the principles of a democratic development. A fairly active and a strong civil society has been formed in the country. Currently, special attention is paid to the creation of conditions as favorable as possible for the development of small and a medium businesses and entrepreneurship in general. Kyrgyzstan is ready for  the expansion of effective cooperation with OSCE in all existent spheres of cooperation" - said the President of Kyrgyzstan.

Meanwhile, the OSCE Secretary General in his reciprocal speech stressed that from the time of his last meeting with the President Kurmanbek Bakiev, Kyrgyzstan contrived to achieve greater progress in development.

"The issue related to Constitutional Reform is solved, Parliamentary Elections were held and conditions were created for a further progress under your management. The OSCE is ready to make its contribution and counts upon the support and assistance of Kyrgyzstan as a member of the organization for development of the OSCE" - stated the OSCE Secretary General.

During a meeting the President of Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE Secretary General exchanged opinions on various issues of cooperation. In particular, they touched upon issues of developing democratic institutions, improving activity in the field of customs, reforming the court system, etc.

On May 14^th, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Gediminas Kirkalas arrived in Bishkek who held negotiations with the President K. Bakiev and KR Prime Minister I. Chudinov. The main result of negotiations was the signing of an agreement about the Creation of  an Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) aimed at an on-going operation for the resolution of issues in trade-economics as well as the opening of an honored Consulate of the Republic Lithuania in Kyrgyzstan.

While greeting the guest, the head of the state noted that this visit was the first visit of such a high level in the history of Kyrgyz - Lithuanian relations.

"Relations between our countries acquired a more dynamic nature after last year's visit of Lithuanian's Foreign Affairs Minister to Kyrgyzstan. I hope that your current official visit will give impulse to the development of bilateral relations and agreements to be achieved as a result of negotiations between the Governments of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic Lithuania  and that they will serve to strengthen economic, cultural and educational ties between our countries" - said Kurmanbek Bakiev.

The President also noted that the amount of goods circulating between Kyrgyzstan and Lithuania does not correspond to the existing capacity.

"Kyrgyzstan has created conditions to the greatest extent possible for creating business. Based on the World Bank's assessment, our country has the most attractive investment climate. We place special importance on cooperation with states of the European Union. And we hope for support from the Lithuanians on the issue of creating an Academy for Water - Energy Resources in Bishkek and the organization of the International Forum devoted to this issue" - stated the President.

The Prime- Minister of the Republic Lithuania, in turn stated the following: "The European Union pays special attention to relations with Central Asian states. Lithuania is interested in expanding cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in all spheres of including a full realization of the trade-economic capacity of the two countries. I think that there will be a scrupulous exchange of opinions on this issue during Kyrgyz - Lithuanian Business -Forum" - stated the Prime-Minister.

Also Mr. Gediminas Kirkalas noted in his speech that the Intergovernmental Agreement about the strengthening and expansion of a mutually beneficial cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Lithuania will contribute to the enhancement and expansion of a mutually beneficial cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Lithuania. He also expressed his hopes that a project on the exchange of delegations of entrepreneurs of the two countries will be implemented for experience exchanges and discussion of possible investment.

On May 20-22 the Kyrgyz Prime-Minister Igor Chudinov made a working visit to Latvia and Poland. In Riga, the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers held a meeting with the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers.

Based on the results of negotiations of I.Chudinov with the Prime Minister I.Godmanis, parties signed an Intergovernmental Agreement about the Encouragement and Protection of Investments between Kyrgyzstan and Latvia.

On June 10^th, the President of Kyrgyzstan hosted a Deputy of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Ms. Kyun va Kan.

In the course of the meeting, the head of the state noted that Kyrgyzstan is placing an important value on cooperation in the sphere of human rights and issues in human rights as one of the intrinsic factors of democratic development. Moreover, he stressed the significance of the Agreement signed that day about opening a Regional Department of High Commissioner's Department on Human rights (UNHCR) of the UN on CA states in Bishkek city.

"I hope that opening this regional department will contribute to the enhancement of cooperation and interaction on many issues related to human rights and freedoms. On my part I would like to assure you that we will provide all possible assistance to the activity of this office" - stated Bakiev.

In her reciprocal speech, Ms. Kyun va Ka also stressed the importance of the Agreement signed about the Opening of a Regional Department of High Commissioner's Department on Human rights (UNHCR) of the UN on CA states. He also noted that opening of the office in Bishkek demonstrated the commitment of the republic to the observance of human rights and freedoms.

"The fact that 26 Deputy mandates belong to women and a number of women are represented in key positions in the judicial and executive branches of power is a great achievement for the country. Gender balance is an important part of the  human right protection" - stated the honorable guest.

On June 23^rd, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Germany to the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Klaus Grewlich, on the case of completion of his diplomatic mission in the KR.

During the meeting President Kurmanbek Bakiev expressed his appreciation to Mr. Klaus Grewlich for his activity as an Ambassador dedicated to strengthening Kyrgyz - German relations.

"It is a pleasure for me to see that cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Germany is well developed and its practical results are evident. I would also like to thank you for your role in the initiative  for the creation of a Water Academy in Bishkek" - said K. Bakiev.

In turn, the Ambassador thanked Kurmanbek Bakiev for support provided in the period of implementation of his diplomatic authorities in Kyrgyzstan. "I have excellent impressions of your beautiful region, from your great and hospitable nation. It was a pleasure for me to have lived and worked here" - said Klaus Grewlich.

On June 30^th, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Director of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia, Mr. Miroslav Jenca.

In the course of discussion, the Head of the government noted the importance of the cooperation of Kyrgyzstan with the UN on a wide spectrum of issues including joint counteraction to modern threats and challenges. The President stressed the success of the implementation of the UNDP cooperation program from 2005 to 2010.

"At the International Economic Forum held in the beginning of the month in St. Petersburg, Kyrgyzstan put forward an initiative for creating a global economic program. In the context of disturbing symptoms in world economics related to price growth for food products and energy resources, when all countries experience its negative influence, this program should act under the UN aegis." - said Kurmanbek Bakiev

During the conversation, the Head of the state touched upon the problem related to the rehabilitation of tailing wastes and noted that a solution to this issue had been investigated for a long time and was still not found.

The President has also expressed his appreciation to the UN for supporting a number of Kyrgyzstan's initiatives; in particular, for the proclamation of February 20^th as an International Day of a Social Justice. The Head of the state noted that Kyrgyzstan had fully supported the decision to establish the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia with headquarters in Ashgabat, and he expressed his confidence that the Center would make its contribution to a war against international terrorism, extremism and the drug trade.

Mister Miroslav Jenca in his reciprocal speech noted that Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia had been established with the support of countries in the region and that the success of its activity would depend heavily on the relations and positions of these countries.

"The regional Center is aimed at contributing to the strengthening of peace and security through the organization of events that would help to solve problematic issues" - said Miroslav Jenca.

***

In the first half of 2008, a number of important staff changes took place in Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy. Among these, experts especially emphasized the appointment of a new Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Russia R.Attakurov, instead of the political heavyweight Apas Djumagulov.  A corresponding decree was signed by the President of Kyrgyzstan on January 18^th. At the same time the appointment of Mr. Attakurov raised certain discussions in Jogorku Kenesh regarding his second Russian citizenship.

On June 16^th, the President Kurmanbek Bakiev appointed Tuigunaaly Abdraimov as an Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea. Earlier, Abdraimov had the position of the KR CEC [Central Election Commission], and later of the Minister of KR Healthcare.

Among other staff appointment decisions in the foreign policy system of the Kyrgyz Republic it is worth noting the appointment of Borubek Ashirov as KR Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Jyrgalbek Azylov as KR Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, and Jusupbek Sharipov as KR Ambassador to Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Parliamentary Committee for International Affairs and Interparliamentary Cooperation has approved the candidate Marat Djamanbaev for a position of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Japan and Sultan Zakirov for a position of the KR Consulate General to Dubai (UAE).

Big changes also took place in the foreign diplomatic body in Kyrgyzstan. The US Ambassador to the KR, Marie Yovanovitch, leading a diplomatic mission of the United States in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2005, is to be replaced by the Ambassador Tatyana Gfoeller-Volkoff. Ambassadors of Germany, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine have also completed their diplomatic missions in Kyrgyzstan.

In general, in the first six months of 2008 there was a sufficient number of important international events on a bilateral level as well as a multi-party format that have influence not only on the position of Bishkek in international affairs but also the domestic policy positions in Kyrgyzstan.

***

In general, first half of  2008 was positive for foreign policy in Kyrgyzstan.

Erlan Abdyldaev, IPP expert, former Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary KR Ambassador to People's Republic of China, Mongolia, Singapore and Thailand.

Radislav Safin, IPP media program coordinator

25.07.2008