Today, we will talk with Dr. Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to the Kyrgyz Republic about Kyrgyz–Turkish relations.
Mr. Ambassador, you previously noted in a meeting with journalists that Turkiye was the first country to recognize Kyrgyzstan's independence and send an ambassador to Bishkek. How would you assess the current level of Kyrgyz-Turkish relations? Which areas of cooperation do you consider the most promising for the future?
Thank you very much, and welcome. Relations between Turkiye and Kyrgyzstan are developing at a very satisfactory level. Our cooperation continues in all areas. Last year, the President of Turkiye visited Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, and a high-level meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council was held, chaired by the presidents of the two countries.
At this meeting, relations between Turkiye and Kyrgyzstan were elevated to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Nineteen agreements were signed. In accordance with the goals set by the esteemed presidents of the two countries, we have begun active work.
High-level visits are of great importance to our relations with Kyrgyzstan. They set the direction for our joint activities. Numerous high-level visits continue. Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan in April 2025. Along with these cooperation issues, a cooperation protocol was signed. We are confident that this interaction will continue at the highest level with the new Kyrgyz Parliament, and we fully support this.
We were pleased to observe that the recent elections in Kyrgyzstan were held calmly and in an orderly manner. In this regard, we congratulate the Government of Kyrgyzstan, the chairperson of the Central Election Commission and all its staff, as well as the entire Kyrgyz people.
On September 18 of this same year, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz visited Kyrgyzstan and was a guest of Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev. During the visit, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held with the participation of deputy ministers from both countries, and the signing of relevant documents. We strive to develop relations in all areas together with our Kyrgyz friends and the Government of Kyrgyzstan. Developing bilateral relations is our primary goal.
At the same time, cooperation continues on multilateral platforms. The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is an extremely important structure uniting all fraternal Turkic countries. Within this organization, cooperation between our organizations in all sectors is actively developing and during Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship of the OTS, meetings were very successful. We congratulate the Government of Kyrgyzstan on the fruitful results of the these meetings. This year, the chairmanship passed to Azerbaijan, and we will assume it next year.
Furthermore, there are other structures that unite us, such as TURKSOY, whose Secretary General is our Kyrgyz brother, Sultan Rayev. We are pleased to follow and support his activities. There is also the TURKPA Parliamentary Assembly, where parliamentarians play a leading role in developing people-to-people ties between the countries of the Turkic world.
We also support each other in international organizations—the UN, the OSCE, and other bodies of which both countries are members. The friendship between Turkiye and Kyrgyzstan is manifested not only at the bilateral level, but also at the international level, yielding fruitful results.
Now let's talk about the economy. How is economic and investment cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye developing? Which sectors of Kyrgyzstan are of particular interest to Turkish investors, and why?
First of all, I want to emphasize that Turkiye was the first country to recognize Kyrgyzstan's independence and the first to send an ambassador here. Therefore, our ties and relations with Kyrgyzstan have been steadily developing in all areas since then.
First and foremost, of course, is economic and trade cooperation. We work for the common well-being of our two peoples. The same principle underlies our activities within the Organization of Turkic States—we act in the name of brotherhood of peoples, equality, and partnership.
This is precisely why Turkish entrepreneurs are actively implementing investment projects in the economy that are beneficial to both sides and both peoples. For example, trade turnover between our countries has reached $1.5 billion. Turkiye consistently ranks among Kyrgyzstan's top five trade and investment partners. We are working to increase trade turnover to $5 billion in the coming years—this is the goal set by our presidents.
For example, recently, the chairman of the Customs Service of Kyrgyzstan paid a working visit to Turkiye. During the visit, mutual agreements aimed at facilitating bilateral trade were signed.
In addition to trade turnover of $1.5 billion, private Turkish investment in Kyrgyzstan has also reached the same level, reaching approximately $1.4 billion. In addition, there is also state investment. These include Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Turkish schools, high schools, and lyceums in Kyrgyzstan, faculties we support at several universities, schools of the Maarif Foundation, and the Kyrgyz-Turkish Dostuk Hospital.
This hospital was opened at the request of President Sadyr Zhaparov and at the initiative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is named after him. Total state investment has reached $1 billion, this is not a small sum.
Currently, approximately 350 Turkish companies are actively operating in Kyrgyzstan. We have established the Turkish-Kyrgyz Business Association, through which Turkish and Kyrgyz partners are jointly implementing projects.
Significant investments include Demirbank, which is actively operating, and projects in virtually all sectors. Etibakır Tereksay, together with Kyrgyz Altyn, is mining gold in Terek-Sai. The Sheraton Hotel and Bishkek Park complex, located in the center of Bishkek, are among the most significant investments. Orto Asia Investment Holding, Kudret Koz Hospital, and the Coca-Cola Company are also active. All of this demonstrates Turkiye's high level of trust in Kyrgyzstan.
We see great potential in mining, energy, including green energy, agricultural processing, logistics, and tourism infrastructure and Turkish entrepreneurs continue to invest in these areas. For example, Beta Group is investing approximately $100–150 million in the modernization and construction of a large center in central Bishkek. So, we cansay that these investments will continue.
Regarding the cultural sphere, what cultural projects and humanitarian initiatives between the two countries are currently a priority? How do cultural ties contribute to strengthening trust and mutual understanding between peoples?
Our relations in the cultural sphere are also at a high level. TURKSOY plays a key role in this area, fulfilling a significant mission among the Turkic states. We share a common culture, common roots, a common language, and a shared history. It is this unity that creates a solid foundation for further steps forward.
In my opinion, we can further advance our relations through bilateral agreements and practical projects. For example, the Yunus Emre Cultural Center has opened and is actively operating in Bishkek, playing an important role in promoting Turkish culture and working with our brothers in Kyrgyzstan.
Furthermore, a significant portion of our bilateral and technical assistance to Kyrgyzstan is focused specifically on the cultural sphere. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has implemented numerous useful projects in both the cultural and social spheres. The total volume of cultural and technical assistance to Kyrgyzstan has reached approximately $1 billion.
Therefore, there is no reason to stop this work. Our priority is the joint development of our shared culture.
As is well known, Turkiye is one of the leading countries in tourism. What can Kyrgyzstan learn from Turkiye in this area?
Kyrgyzstan is an incredibly beautiful country. There's not a single person who has visited here who wouldn't fall in love with Kyrgyzstan. Mountains, pastures, rivers, amazing nature, and, of course, hospitable people. The heart of the Kyrgyz people, like the Turkish people, beats with their guests. They always treat their guests with special respect. Both Kyrgyz and Turks are the same.
We are confident that Kyrgyzstan can become a global tourism destination. Of course, there are still areas that need to be improved. Turkiye has also gone through similar stages of development. We have the sea, mountains, culture, and sports, but we have constantly improved the quality of our tourism services.
The first thing we need to do is develop tourism year-round. There are four seasons and each season has its own preferences for tourists. Some want to come in the summer, while others prefer to relax in the winter. Kyrgyzstan has places that meet all these needs and can be visited at any time of the year.
If you go to Karakol, you can ski, this is winter tourism. If you go to the mountains in the summer, you won't want to come down. Nature is especially beautiful in the fall. In the spring, the Aigul flower blooms in Batken, and the black tulip blooms in Son-Kol. The beauties of Kyrgyzstan should be presented every month.
This requires infrastructure. Tourists want comfort—quality hotels, good roads, and restaurants. I see significant changes taking place in Kyrgyzstan's tourism sector, and we are ready to share our experience.
During the summer season, 20,000–30,000 Kyrgyz citizens work in the tourism industry in Turkiye. These young people are the future of Kyrgyz tourism. They return with experience, open restaurants, cafes, and hotels, and create a bridge of cooperation between the Turkish and Kyrgyz tourism sectors. Turkish investors are also ready to invest in Kyrgyzstan's tourism sector.
We have hotels: the Novotel is a Turkish-Kyrgyz partnership, and the Sheraton Hotel is a Turkish investment. Furthermore, a new Turkish investor has joined the reconstruction of the Dostuk Hotel. Therefore, I believe that there is a lot that we can share and learn from each other in the tourism sectors of our two countries.
Can you tell us about your diplomatic mission? What goals or objectives did you set during your mission as the Turkish Ambassador in Kyrgyzstan? How do you see Kyrgyz-Turkish relations in in 5-10 years?
— Of course. Our relations with Kyrgyzstan continue not only “state-to-state”, but also “people-to-people”. We believe that in these 5-10 years, what has been achieved in the previous 30 years will continue to develop rapidly. Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye are two brotherly countries.
We have always supported Kyrgyzstan's efforts to strengthen its international authority. We have signed every agreement that can be signed in the diplomatic direction of Turkiye-Kyrgyzstan relations, we are concluding new ones, and we continue to renew old ones.
Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye are geographically located at the opposite ends of our region. Kyrgyzstan is in the east, Turkiyeis in the west. In other words, the two pillars of the bridge of friendship are Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye. This bridge encompasses the entire region, including our Kazakh, Uzbek, Turkmen, and Azerbaijani brothers and sisters.
There are many students who graduated from Turkish schools and universities in Kyrgyzstan. What role does education play in ensuring future partnership?
— Education is the first priority area in cooperation. The 10,000 Students project, initiated by Turkiye 30 years ago, was launched in this direction. Through this project, thousands of students, including more than 5,000 Kyrgyz students, received education in Turkiye. Now more than 2,000 students are studying, they all got scholarships and receive free education.
Every year we send more than 300 students to Turkiye. After studying, they return to Kyrgyzstan and work in important sectors, creating a personnel reserve.
Today, 7,000 students study at the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University in Kyrgyzstan. Since 1995, 14,000 students have graduated. This university provides free education and is considered an example of our cooperation.
In addition, almost all Kyrgyz universities have Turkish courses, students learn the language by watching Turkish TV series and films. Academic cooperation, mobility, and training programs through the Yunus Emre Institute and TIKA continue.
— Are Turkish companies actively involved in major infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan?
— Of course. Turkish businessmen are active in the energy, road construction, transport, logistics, mining, mineral processing and tourism sectors. For example, the Kazarman and Kokomeren reservoirs, the Etibakir-Tereksay gold mine, the Duvatash antimony mine development project.
Turkish contractors for road construction and infrastructure are among the world's leading. They start and finish quickly. They are also active in the tourism sector, renovating hotels and opening new tourism projects.
— Can you tell us about what impressed you in Kyrgyzstan?
— There are almost no disappointing issues in Kyrgyzstan. If there are problems, we solve them through dialogue. What I like most is that we solve problems in a brotherly, harmonious way. People here are sincerely ready to cooperate.
— Thank you very much!
Interviewed by Nurzhan Kasmalieva
Kabar News Agency