On 9 February, Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev met with US Ambassador Lesslie Viguerie to discuss expanding co-operation in trade, investment and rare earth metals, according to the Kyrgyz media.
Kulubaev also passed on President Sadyr Japarov’s response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s letter to the US ambassador, which contained “reasoned answers about the internal political situation and democratic processes in the country”.
Our requirements for them are clear and supported in society, fully consistent with both the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and our international obligations.
In January 2024, Blinken wrote a letter to Japarov expressing concern over the Foreign Agents Bill.
Antony Blinken’s letter was dated 17 January, but became known only on 7 February. According to the Secretary of State, the draft law in its current form jeopardises citizens’ access to essential health and education services.
