The parties reviewed the progress of joint projects and discussed prospects for further developing bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Alexei Overchuk chairs meeting of Russia-Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Humanitarian Cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, along with Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev, co-chaired the 26th meeting of the Russia- Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Humanitarian Cooperation. The event took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
The co-chairs of the Commission coordinated the implementation of joint projects in the trade, economic, and humanitarian spheres, reviewed the intergovernmental commission’s performance over the past year, and emphasised the positive role of Eurasian integration processes in promoting economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic. Special focus was placed on cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union.
Alexei Overchuk noted the traditionally friendly nature of Russian-Kyrgyzstani relations: “The Kyrgyz Republic is our strategic partner and ally. Russian- Kyrgyzstani cooperation, built on a long history, mutual respect, and trust, is multifaceted and marked by shared approaches to regional and global issues and a common commitment to developing integration processes in Eurasia,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
The Chairman of the Russian Intergovernmental Commission highlighted that Russia, which accounted for 22 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade in 2025, remained one of the republic’s key trade and economic partners. Trade between Russia and Kyrgyzstan increased by 15.1 percent in January–August 2025, reaching $3 billion.
Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries increasingly relies on national
currencies. The share of the Russian rouble in bilateral settlements in the first eight months of 2025 reached 96.7 percent.
We have a positive view of the role of the Russian and Russian-Kyrgyz development institutions, such as the Eurasian Fund for Stabilisation and Development, as business activity centres promoting joint projects implementation.
We have noted the high intensity and confidential nature of contacts at all levels. The importance of growing interregional ties has also been highlighted. “Seventy-nine Russian regions are developing trade and economic relations with Kyrgyzstan. We have agreed to hold another forum on the inter-regional cooperation,” Alexei Overchuk said.
The strategic character of the Russian-Kyrgyz interaction in energy was highlighted as well as Russia’s contribution to Kyrgyzstan’s energy security.
“Our oil and gas companies supply gas to the population and enterprises, develop the network of the filling stations, deliver machines and equipment. Russia is the core supplier of motor, diesel and jet fuel to Kyrgyzstan. We supply oil and oil products duty free on the basis of annual projected balances. The balances for 2026, drawn up with due account of the needs of the Kyrgyz side, have been signed,” said Alexei Overchuk.
In the context of the Russian-Kyrgyz joint activities on the climate agenda and energy transition, there is certain progress in implementing joint projects to develop power generation on renewable energy sources, including construction of a solar and a wind power stations in the Kyrgyz Republic.
“We acknowledge the necessity of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in sectors where it is advantageous and does not impede economic prosperity and development. We place significant emphasis on ensuring a just energy transition, underscoring the crucial role of natural gas and nuclear energy in decarbonisation efforts without detriment to the national economy,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk.
Positive momentum in transport and logistics cooperation was noted. In the first nine months of this year, rail freight between Russia and Kyrgyzstan increased by 3 percent, while passenger transport surged by 50.5 percent.
The co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission paid particular attention to academic cooperation.
Discussions covered the progress of joint projects in this sphere, several of which hold long-term, strategic importance for deepening the allied relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan, founded on a human-centric development model.
“We have commenced the implementation of a large-scale joint project to construct nine comprehensive schools with Russian as the language of instruction. Construction and installation work has begun on the first-phase sites in the cities of Bishkek, Batken, and Karakol,” reported Alexei Overchuk.
The Deputy Prime Minister also announced that, as a gesture of friendly assistance, Russia is transferring 651,000 Russian-language textbooks to Kyrgyzstan for its secondary schools. “Over 90 percent of the textbooks have already been delivered to the republic and will shortly be distributed to schools. We are also dispatching Russian teachers to work in Kyrgyz schools,” declared Alexei Overchuk during the ceremonial handover of the textbook certificates to the Kyrgyz side, held after the intergovernmental commission meeting.
During talks on deepening higher education collaboration, prospects for implementing a flagship joint project to construct a new campus for the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University were explored.
The strong momentum in Russian-Kyrgyz cultural ties was also highlighted. In late October, the Days of Russian Culture were ceremoniously inaugurated in Bishkek. In early July, the annual Summer School of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) concluded at Lake Issyk-Kul, with participation from students of cultural institutes in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Support for Russian theatres in the Kyrgyz Republic remains a key focus area.
Alexei Overchuk thanked the Kyrgyz side for backing the Russian initiative to establish the Eurasian Academy of Cinematic Arts and the Open Eurasian Film Awards. He expressed confidence that films from Kyrgyzstan will feature prominently at the inaugural Diamond Butterfly awards ceremony, scheduled for late November 2025.
Following the talks, Alexei Overchuk and Adylbek Kasymaliev signed the final protocol of the 26th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Kyrgyz Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Humanitarian Cooperation.
