Kulubaev and Rubio in Samarkand discussed sanctions and visa restrictions for Kyrgyz citizens

Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev held talks with U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio on October 19 in Samarkand — on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting "Central Asia — USA" in the C5+1 format.

According to Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Ministry, the sides discussed American sanctions, visa restrictions, trade development, and attracting investments. Kulubaev emphasized Kyrgyzstan's interest in expanding trade and economic ties with the USA and attracting American investments and technologies, naming mining, energy, information technologies, transport, and finance as priorities.

Kyrgyzstan's presidential special representative Bakyt Sydykov informed the American side about ongoing work on sanctions issues and assured Rubio that the republic's leadership intends to continue cooperation with Washington to prevent circumvention of sanctions restrictions.

The sides also discussed prospects for cooperation at the UN Security Council: Kyrgyzstan has been elected for the first time as a non-permanent member of this body for 2027–2028.