The Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheenbek Kulubaev, has said his country wants to establish Ghana as its gateway to West Africa as it expands its presence on the continent.
Speaking in Accra last Wednesday during the inaugural Ghana-Kyrgyzstan Political Consultations, Mr Kulubaev said this strategic partnership was key as both countries were turning their geographic realities into economic advantages.
"Our bilateral talks today will undoubtedly prove that the nation’s global influence is not measured by its size, but by the courage of its initiatives.
The meeting culminated in the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoU) including, MoU and Cooperation between the “Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Kyrgyztan named after Kazy Dikambaev and the Foreign Service Institute under the MFA of Ghana”; “MoU between the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyztan and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of the Republic of Ghana on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture”; and “MoU on cooperation between the State Agency of Physical Culture and Sports under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation of Ghana in the field of Physical Culture and Sports”.
Mr Kulubaev added that the two countries shared similar values and were showing each other strong and friendly support.
He said President Sadyr Japarov and President John Mahama shared similar approaches to making public administration more effective, with a focus on achieving concrete results.
"In Kyrgyzstan, this approach is reflected in the Taza Koom - Clean Society programme, while in Ghana it is reflected in the Resetting Ghana Agenda.
We support Ghana's efforts to explore new opportunities in Eurasia and are ready to be a reliable partner for your country in this part of the world," he said.
He commended President Mahama for mapping out a clear vision on Africa’s role in the changing international system, adding that most of the views expressed align with Kyrgyzstan’s position.
Appeal
For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, appealed to the Kyrgyz Republic to support Ghana's candidature for re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council and other international bodies.
"For Ghana's bid to be re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council, I would like to be hopeful that we'll be counting on the support of Kyrgyzstan.
We are also bidding for re-election to the International Telecommunications Union, and we will appeal to you to support us to remain on the ITU.
“We also have a candidate for the International Law Commission, Professor Paul Kuruk, a very distinguished legal scholar, and we will be counting on your continual support," he said.
The meeting, he said, marked a significant step towards deepening bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.
Visit, appreciation
The Foreign Minister recalled his visit to Bishkek from March 16 to 17 this year, which he said was the first visit to the Kyrgyz Republic by a foreign minister from the African continent.
He said his visit has since opened doors for wider Africa-Central Asia engagement, with Kyrgyzstan deciding to open diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa and Cairo, and expressed confidence that Accra will be next.
Mr Ablakwa expressed appreciation to the Kyrgyz government for its full support and co-sponsorship of Ghana's landmark UN resolution declaring transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.
Mr Ablakwa also praised Kyrgyzstan for hosting Ghanaians, including a Ghanaian footballer, awarded three-time best footballer in Kyrgyzstan, and for its welcoming attitude to Ghanaians.
He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its historic election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028.
