Political relations

In 1992, Germany was the first European country to recognise the independence of Kyrgyzstan and to open an embassy in Bishkek. The two countries’ good political relations are based on regular bilateral consultation formats, cooperation at the regional level and in multilateral fora, as well as reciprocal high-level visits. Federal President Steinmeier visited Kyrgyzstan in June 2023 and the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kulubaev met with Foreign Minister Baerbock in Berlin in August 2023. In September 2023, at the invitation of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President Japarov took part in a summit in Berlin with the five Central Asian heads of state and held bilateral talks with the Federal Chancellor. A follow-up meeting took place on 17 September 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. In November 2024, President Japarov met Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin during his official visit.

Historically, German-Kyrgyz relations have been shaped, among other things, by the German minority in Kyrgyzstan, whose number has fallen from 100,000 after the foundation of the Kyrgyz state to around 8200 today. The association of members of the German minority receives financial support from the Federal Government in the social, cultural and education sectors. Germany is active in Kyrgyzstan with a variety of programmes to promote the German language and educational exchange in schools and universities.

Economic relations

Bilateral trade with Germany totalled approximately 734 million euro in 2023 and is characterised by a large trade surplus in Germany’s favour. Germany’s principal exports to Kyrgyzstan are motor vehicles, machinery and chemical products, Kyrgyzstan’s main exports to Germany are raw materials and food. Germany and Kyrgyzstan plan to expand cooperation on the training and recruitment of skilled workers.

Development cooperation

Long-term bilateral development cooperation between Germany and Kyrgyzstan will expire in the course of the 2030 reform process of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. However, Kyrgyzstan remains involved in regional technical cooperation projects. Priorities in this regard have included health care and sustainable economic development.