Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan: Strategic Partnership and Kyrgyzstan’s Regional Position

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — 

Turkey as One of Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Investment Partners

The Vice President of the Republic of Turkey, Cevdet Yılmaz, paid a working visit to Kyrgyzstan on 17–18 September 2025 to attend the 12th Meeting of the Turkey–Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Joint Economic Commission (JEC).

The first stop of Vice President Yılmaz’s visit was Ata-Beyit, a symbol of the Kyrgyz people’s struggle for freedom and independence. Here, Yılmaz commemorated Kyrgyz martyrs and visited the grave of the world-renowned author Chinghiz Aitmatov, a shared cultural figure of the Turkic world.

Subsequently, Yılmaz met with Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chair of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The discussions addressed cooperation between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in trade, industry, transportation, energy, education, and healthcare. During the meeting, it was emphasized that bilateral relations had been elevated to the level of a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

Manas University: The Center of the Turkic World Renaissance Turns 30

Another significant stop of Vice President Yılmaz’s visit was the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Kyrgyz–Turkish Manas University, a joint institution of the two countries. In his address, Yılmaz stated that the university’s inclusion among the world’s top 1,000 universities was a shared source of pride for the Turkic world.

Kyrgyz–Turkish Manas University represents one of the most important manifestations of the strategic vision jointly shared by Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. Since its establishment, the university has pioneered developments in diverse fields such as banking, finance, archaeology, history, literature, and engineering, particularly in Kyrgyzstan and across the Turkic world. With its newly inaugurated Faculty of Medicine, which began admitting students this academic year, the university will contribute to addressing regional health challenges and play a key role in transferring Turkey’s vision of advanced technology and innovation in healthcare to Kyrgyzstan and the broader Turkic world.

In the near future, the university also plans to establish a Technology Development Zone in Bishkek, with the aim of transforming the capital into a hub for technological advancement. Once the relevant Kyrgyz legislation is finalized, this project will be implemented to reduce technological dependency in the region and act as a driving force for innovative investment.

New Targets in Trade Volume

Vice President Yılmaz also participated in the “Turkish Business Forum” held in Bishkek. At the event, he underlined that Turkish entrepreneurs had invested approximately USD 2 billion in Kyrgyzstan and undertaken 95 projects worth nearly USD 1 billion.

During the 12th JEC Meeting on 18 September 2025, the two fraternal countries set trade targets of USD 2 billion in the short term and USD 5 billion in the medium term. A 77-point Action Plan was signed, covering areas such as trade, energy, transportation, agriculture, education, health, culture, and information technologies, within the framework of fraternal cooperation. This agreement institutionalized economic cooperation between the two countries under the vision of a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

Kyrgyzstan: The Switzerland of Central Asia

Approximately 65% of Kyrgyzstan’s territory is covered by the Tien Shan Mountains, which has led to the country often being referred to as the “Switzerland of Central Asia.” Owing to its natural landscape, Kyrgyzstan stands as one of the rising stars of the Turkic world in tourism.

For instance, Issyk-Kul Lake, stretching 180 km in length and 60 km in width, is the world’s second-largest high-altitude lake. With a depth exceeding 700 meters, low salinity, and thermal springs, the lake never freezes in winter and is globally significant for its endemic species. While Kyrgyzstan’s economy relies on mining, animal husbandry, agriculture, and tourism, the sustainable utilization of these resources is a primary goal—forming a foundation for Kyrgyzstan’s development as a tourism-oriented nation akin to Switzerland.

Additionally, the region is an important cultural tourism destination for Turkic history, particularly due to the presence of balbal statues from the Göktürk era. These monuments illuminate the ancient heritage of the Turks and provide invaluable historical sources. Kyrgyzstan also holds strategic significance as a logistics hub in Central Asian (Turkestan) trade. The establishment of a financial center in the country could potentially serve the entire region. Going forward, Kyrgyzstan possesses the capability to function as a regional hub in finance, tourism, and logistics.

Investment Climate and Reforms

Kyrgyzstan is pursuing reforms to become an attractive investment destination. The new investment law adopted in 2025 reduced bureaucracy, introduced tax incentives, and enhanced transparency. As a result, both domestic and foreign investors are now provided with equal conditions and stronger legal protections.

According to an economic article published on Kabar.kg on 17 September 2025, 29.7% of foreign direct investment inflows in 2024 originated from China, 25.8% from Russia, and 9.6% from Turkey. In the first nine months of 2024, Kyrgyzstan attracted USD 746.9 million in investment, reflecting a 14.1% increase compared to the previous year. Key investment sectors included transportation (notably the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway), industry, housing, tourism, and technology (including artificial intelligence). In this context, trade agreements among Turkic States under the OTS framework are expected to break the post-Soviet impasse of limited intra-Turkic trade.

Kyrgyzstan Hosts OTS Meeting of Deputy Heads of Government/Vice Presidents

On 18 September 2025, Kyrgyzstan hosted the Meeting of Deputy Heads of Government/Vice Presidents of the Organization of Turkic States. The meeting addressed strategic issues such as prosperity, development, and energy security of the Turkic world within the framework of the “Turkic World Vision 2040.” Consultations were also held on strengthening cooperation and investment in areas ranging from the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor to renewable energy. During the meeting, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz called for solidarity against the unjust isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an observer member of the OTS.

Assessing this call, one may note that the response will reflect the OTS’s capacity for independent action in the coming period.

Conclusion

Due to its strategic location, Kyrgyzstan holds the potential to establish itself as both a production hub and a logistics distribution center. Future goals, such as the creation of technology development zones and financial investment initiatives, may transform Kyrgyzstan into the true “Switzerland” of the region. Moreover, the country’s adoption of a development model based on natural resources, particularly energy, will enhance its position as a rising star of the Turkic world and an energy-exporting state. As the current chair of the Organization of Turkic States, Kyrgyzstan possesses the potential to achieve significant economic breakthroughs in the coming years through its strategic roadmap.

Ahmet Sağlam 

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UzDaily.