Bilateral relations Switzerland–Kyrgyzstan
Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan enjoy very good relations, based on bonds of friendship forged since independence. Joint membership in the voting group of certain multilateral institutions, including the Bretton Woods institutions, contributes to this closeness. Technical cooperation, including in the field of water resource management, is another pillar of the bilateral relationship.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation in this Central Asian republic. A major donor in terms of development cooperation, Switzerland is also an important trading partner for Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is a member of Switzerland’s voting groups in the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility.
Switzerland is also closely involved in water diplomacy in Central Asia. The ‘Blue Peace Central Asia’ initiative promotes regional cooperation between the five countries of Central Asia and encourages the development, at both technical and political levels, of cross-border projects linked to water management.
Blue Peace: Water as an element of security
Economic cooperation
Switzerland is one of the main buyers of Kyrgyz gold and is therefore an important trading partner for Kyrgyzstan, although trade in other areas remains modest.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
SECO Economic Cooperation and Development
Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland
Cooperation in the area of education
Researchers from Kyrgyzstan can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI).
SERI: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Kyrgyzstan is one of the priority countries for Swiss development cooperation. The SDC and SECO focus their activities on 1) water, infrastructure and climate change, 2) governance, human rights and services, and 3) inclusive and sustainable economic development.
For the period 2022-25, the SDC and SECO are devoting an annual budget of around CHF 20 million to Kyrgyzstan.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)
Swiss in Kyrgyzstan
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there are 53 Swiss citizens living in Kyrgyzstan in 2024.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland recognised Kyrgyzstan’s independence on 23 December 1991, and diplomatic relations were formally established on 14 February 1992. The Swiss embassy in Moscow initially handled diplomatic relations. From 1993 to 2012, the Swiss embassy in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent was responsible for Kyrgyzstan.
A Swiss cooperation office was opened in Bishkek in 1993, which was upgraded to an embassy in November 2012. Kyrgyzstan has a mission to the international organisations in Geneva whose ambassador has been accredited to Bern since 1996.
Kyrgyzstan, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Link
- Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan
- Treaty Database
- World Bank
- International Monetary Fund
- Global Environment Facility
- Blue Peace: Water as an element of security
- Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
- Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
- Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland JCC
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars, SERI
- Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)
- Kyrgyzstan, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
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