Bishkek, Sept. 23, 2026 /Kabar/. On September 22, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov met with President of the European Council António Costa on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic reported.
At the beginning of the meeting, António Costa congratulated the head of state on Kyrgyzstan's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and on the successful hosting of the SCO summit in Bishkek earlier that month.
The parties discussed key issues regarding cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union. In particular, they noted the importance of maintaining political dialogue—both bilaterally and within the "Central Asia – European Union" framework—and of developing cooperation under the Global Gateway program.
The interlocutors paid special attention to the issue of sanctions.
For his part, Sadyr Zhaparov expressed concern regarding the sanctions policy pursued by Western and European partners toward Kyrgyzstan, noting that Kyrgyzstan maintains constant contact and regularly exchanges information with relevant European Union officials. The head of state cited the closure this year of 50 companies in Kyrgyzstan that had engaged in high-risk sanctions-related activities, and emphasized a readiness for open dialogue as well as an interest in developing cooperation with Western and European partners.
In the economic sphere, the parties discussed prospects for implementing specific joint projects—including in the transport sector—taking into account Kyrgyzstan’s aim to develop its transit potential and integrate into multimodal corridors.
In conclusion, António Costa invited Sadyr Zhaparov to visit Brussels to give fresh impetus to their cooperation.
The head of state graciously accepted the invitation.
