Bahrain, Kyrgyz Republic issue joint statement on official visit by Kyrgyz President
Manama, Apr. 22 (BNA): The following joint statement was issued following the discussions between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and His Excellency President Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic:
At the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Excellency Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, undertook the first official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain in the history of Bahraini-Kyrgyz relations, on 21 -22 April 2025.
Extensive negotiations were held in an open and friendly atmosphere, during which His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HE President Sadyr Zhaparov, expressed their satisfaction with the positive development of bilateral relations, which have been built on mutual trust since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two friendly countries on 9 February 1996.
The two leaders held substantive discussions on various aspects and future prospects of Bahraini-Kyrgyz relations, with particular emphasis on enhancing cooperation in the political, economic, transport, youth and sports, health, education, investment, environmental, legal, cultural, and other fields. Both sides also discussed matters related to security, defense, regional interconnectedness, climate change, as well as key issues on the regional and international agenda.
To further strengthen interstate dialogue based on equality, mutual respect, and friendship, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. Both parties underscored the importance of enhancing the bilateral legal framework to support this collaboration, acknowledging that the timely and effective implementation of all agreements reached between the leaders will significantly contribute to advancing joint cooperation across various fields.
Accordingly, both leaders declared the following:
1. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the growing momentum of bilateral engagement in recent years, particularly at the level of Foreign Ministers. They highlighted the significance of the first official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2022 – a historic milestone during which a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues were discussed.
2. Both leaders also welcomed the initiation of joint efforts to establish the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Cooperation, as well as the planned launch of a direct Manama-Bishkek-Manama flight route. They further underscored the importance of developing a bilateral legal framework in this field between both countries. It was agreed that the relevant state bodies of both countries will promptly take coordinated actions and determine a time frame for the swift implementation of the above agreements.
3. Both leaders, reaffirming the importance of a mutually beneficial trade and economic partnership, expressed their intention to further advance cooperation in line with national interests. They identified several promising areas for collaboration, including food security and agriculture, renewable energy, the transport and logistics sector, construction, investment, interbank cooperation, and engagements within international financial centers.
4. Both sides placed particular emphasis on the importance of cooperation in ensuring food security, highlighting the potential for joint projects focused on cultivating agricultural products in the Kyrgyz Republic for supply to the GCC market.
5. Both leaders acknowledged the growing intercultural exchange and emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation in the fields of tourism, sports, education, science, technology, and healthcare. They underscored that such collaboration plays a vital role in bringing the peoples of both countries closer together and fostering a deeper mutual understanding, thereby advancing bilateral relations. Both parties also agreed to strengthen ties between leading universities and educational institutions of both countries to promote academic and cultural exchange.
6. Both leaders highlighted that the consistent implementation of the agreements reached during this official visit will serve as a solid foundation for further strengthening cooperation across all sectors between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
7. Both parties reviewed their shared commitment to maintaining regular dialogue at various levels and across multiple platforms to achieve common goals. They emphasised the importance of strengthening the role of the United Nations in matters of international security and sustainable development, particularly within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Both leaders also agreed to provide mutual support in the United Nations elected and specialised bodies.
8. Both sides reaffirmed their mutual support for each country’s candidacies for a non-permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council and expressed their anticipation of collaboration on matters of mutual concern in 2027, when both countries are expected to serve on the Council. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, also expressed gratitude for the Kyrgyz Republic's vote in favour of the adoption of the resolution put forward by the Kingdom of Bahrain proclaiming 28 January as the International Day of Coexistence and Tolerance.
9. Concerning ongoing international and regional issues, both sides stressed the importance of all countries adhering to the UN Charter, international law, the principles of good neighbourliness, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. They noted their shared desire to foster an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding on both regional and international levels, as well as the need to resolve international issues exclusively through peaceful and diplomatic means.
10. The two sides stressed the importance of establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East through political settlements and diplomatic solutions. They underscored the need to end all conflicts and disputes to preserve the interests and gains of the peoples of the region, and for the permanent resolution of the Palestinian issue in accordance with the two-state solution, international law, and the Charter of the United Nations – ensuring the rights of the Palestinian people, ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and preserving regional security and stability.
11. Both leaders stressed the importance of implementing the Resolution on Sustainable Mountain Development, adopted at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, which aims to strengthen international cooperation on mountain development. They also welcomed the holding of the Second World Mountain Summit of “Bishkek+25” to be hosted by Kyrgyzstan in 2027.
12. The Kyrgyz side expressed its support for the foreign policy pursued by the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as efforts to ensure and strengthen regional stability and security, create favourable conditions for sustainable socio-economic development of the Middle East, and to promote the values of tolerance, coexistence and human fraternity among different religions, cultures, and civilizations.
13. The Kyrgyz side praised the generous initiative of His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain to host the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Manama in February 2025. This initiative aims to promote the values of coexistence, Islamic unity, and dialogue among Muslims as an urgent necessity for uniting Islamic nations and fostering cohesion and solidarity among its various components in the face of common challenges.
14. Both leaders noted the priority of establishing cooperation among states to combat the three threats of terrorism, separatism and extremism. They also stressed the importance of ensuring an effective response to these threats at the global, regional and national levels. Additionally, both leaders also agreed to regularly exchange advanced knowledge and expertise on this matter by fostering contacts between the relevant competent authorities to ensure security.
15. Noting the alignment of the two countries’ approaches on key aspects of interregional cooperation, and in light of the Kingdom of Bahrain's recent attainment of 'dialogue partner' status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), both sides expressed hope for further strengthening bilateral cooperation within the framework of the organisation.
16. Both leaders reaffirmed their readiness to further develop close cooperation within the “Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf- Central Asia” framework and agreed to strengthen cooperation across various fields within this dialogue platform.
17. Both leaders expressed confidence that the convening of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will strengthen the principle of cooperation and joint coordination among countries, based on solidarity, mutual respect, effective cooperation, and collective action, to address challenges wisely and effectively.
18. Both leaders noted that the international initiatives proposed by both countries at the international and regional levels serve to strengthen peace, sustainable development and universal values.
19. His Excellency President Sadyr Zhaparov expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. President Zhaparov further extended an invitation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to visit Bishkek, at a time convenient for His Majesty. The invitation was kindly accepted, and it was agreed that the dates of the visit would be coordinated and defined through diplomatic channels.
20. At the conclusion of the meeting, both leaders agreed to intensify efforts to leverage all available opportunities for bilateral cooperation across all areas and take the necessary measures to expand fraternal ties.
21. On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic, President Sadyr Zhaparov extended his best wishes to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Kingdom of Bahrain, for the continued development and prosperity for the Government and people of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This Joint Statement was adopted on 21 April 2025, in the city of Manama in the Arabic, English, Kyrgyz and Russian languages.
