By The Washington Post

Copyright trend

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 29. Kyrgyzstan’s
Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev has formally requested the
easing of U.S. visa requirements for Kyrgyz citizens during a
meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on
the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

Meanwhile, the appeal comes against the backdrop of recent
significant restrictions imposed by Washington, which have hampered
travel and business ties

The discussion positioned the visa issue as critical for
strengthening bilateral relations. Minister Kulubayev coupled his
request for visa liberalization with a call for a “balanced
approach” on sanction-related matters, with both sides agreeing to
maintain dialogue.

Minister Kulubayev explicitly stated Bishkek’s interest in
attracting American investment and advanced technologies, assuring
that Kyrgyzstan is prepared to create favorable conditions for U.S.
businesses. The officials also reviewed prospects for broader
regional collaboration within the C5+1 diplomatic format (Central
Asian nations + the United States), a vital channel for discussing
economic and security partnerships.

The Kyrgyz appeal responds to a series of punitive measures from
the U.S. side:
Recent restrictions: In July, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek
drastically shortened the validity of non-immigrant visas for
Kyrgyz citizens to a mere three-month, single-entry period.
Threat of travel ban: As reported by The Washington Post, the U.S.
administration is considering adding Kyrgyzstan to an expanded
travel ban list. In mid-June, a letter signed by Secretary of State
Marco Rubio gave Kyrgyzstan and 35 other countries a 60-day
deadline to meet undisclosed U.S. requirements or face a full or
partial entry ban.
In response, Kyrgyz authorities have been actively engaged in
consultations, with the Foreign Ministry summoning a U.S. Embassy
consul for discussions in June.