— The most important aspects influencing the perception of Kyrgyzstan by the international community are trust and respect. First of all, the world has noticed that the presidential system of governance, as well as the approaches and methods employed by President Sadyr Japarov, have proven to be effective and trustworthy among citizens.
Trust primarily concerns the political system and management approaches. Respect, on the other hand, is based on the impressive economic successes of the country, which is among the five states with the highest economic growth rates — over 11%. This elevates the status of both the team and the president himself. Thus, trust and respect have become key elements in the international community's attitude towards Kyrgyzstan.
It is also important to note the situation in Central Asia. For nearly three decades, the region has been viewed as a potential source of instability due to unresolved border disputes and proximity to Afghanistan, which created a threat of conflicts between countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
However, thanks to the balanced decisions of the president and his team, the most complex border issues have been resolved. Problems that remained unresolved for decades have found their final solution. Important agreements have been signed with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. As a person with military experience, I can assert that border issues determine peace or war. We have chosen the right path. Currently, Central Asia represents a region of peace, prosperity, and friendship, oriented towards joint development.
In general, three main factors can be highlighted:
— first, an effective political system supported by the people;
— second, a dynamically developing economy;
— third, the successful resolution of complex political and foreign policy issues in the Central Asian region.
These factors have provided Kyrgyzstan with a stable and respected position on the international stage.
What are the features of Sadyr Japarov's foreign policy, considering his pragmatic multi-vector approach?
— I believe that the nature of Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy lies in its realism. It lacks declarations or unfeasible ideas; everything is based on real assessments of the current situation and the country's capabilities.
A priority for Kyrgyzstan has been to establish good-neighborly and productive relations with neighboring countries — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, as well as with all Central Asian states in general. Without reliable neighbors, it is impossible to speak of an effective foreign policy.
Another key detail is Kyrgyzstan's geopolitical position. We are located in the center of Eurasia, between two powerful political and economic centers — China and Russia. Balanced and pragmatic relations are being built with these countries, which are already yielding results in the field of investment and strategic cooperation.
At the same time, new horizons are opening in relations with Western Europe and the USA. For instance, the "Central Asia – USA" summit and a personal meeting with President Donald Trump demonstrated great prospects for cooperation between the USA and Central Asia.
Equally important is the restoration of relations with the Middle East and Arab countries. Kyrgyzstan has successfully renewed ties with the Islamic and Arab world, and these relations are actively developing.
Moreover, for the first time, systematic connections are being established with the African continent — embassies have been opened in Addis Ababa and Egypt, which is a far-sighted step in foreign policy.
Active development of relations with Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea is also underway, which is already yielding concrete results.
What is the significance of political stability for attracting foreign investment?
— Political stability plays a critically important role. Currently, the volume of foreign direct investment in Kyrgyzstan has exceeded 1 billion 200 million dollars — a historical record for the country. It is important to emphasize that this refers specifically to direct investments, not donor funds or infrastructure projects.
This fact indicates that the international community has begun to trust Kyrgyzstan's economy. Reliable state and legal mechanisms have been created in the country to protect and support investments.
The presidential system has played a significant role here. Under the presidential-parliamentary structure, there were many decision-making centers, which complicated the implementation of large investment projects and contributed to political corruption.
Today, decision-making is concentrated in the hands of the president and his team. The National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan has been established to oversee the largest projects. In the near future, the portfolio of such projects may exceed 6–7 billion dollars. Centralized, yet responsible support for investors significantly increases the level of trust.
The international community focuses not on words, but on results. Kyrgyzstan's economy has shown impressive growth in recent years, and the country is among the fastest-growing economies in the world. This inspires confidence not only among private investors but also among international financial organizations.
Thus, political stability, an effective management system, and real economic achievements have become the foundation for increasing investments and a high level of international trust in Kyrgyzstan.
