By Abdullo Janob

Copyright trend

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 24. Kyrgyz
President Sadyr Japarov used his address to the 80th session of the
United Nations General Assembly to strongly criticize sanctions
imposed on Kyrgyzstan, warning that they undermine the country’s
development and stability, Trend reports.

“Unjustified sanctions can be seen as interference in the
internal affairs of a country and as pressure that hinders the
development of our still-emerging economy. I have always stated and
I repeat: Kyrgyzstan has strictly fulfilled and will continue to
strictly fulfill its international obligations. However, we cannot
sacrifice the interests of our citizens and the economic
development of our country,” Japarov declared.

He argued that the sanctions imposed on Kyrgyzstan were “based
on unreliable information disseminated by certain non-governmental
organizations and unscrupulous individuals.” To dispel doubts, he
emphasized that Bishkek is ready for independent oversight. “We are
prepared for independent international audits to thoroughly review
the activities of Kyrgyzstan’s banks,” he said.

The president contrasted the restrictions against Kyrgyz banks
with the broader trade relations maintained by Western countries
with Russia. “For comparison: in 2020, the European Union countries
traded with Russia in the amount of $141 billion, of which $36
billion accounted for imports from Russia. At the same time, the
United Kingdom, which imposed sanctions against two of our banks,
traded with Russia in the amount of $2.2 billion. Frankly speaking,
this creates a situation where we are forced to limit cooperation
with Russia, defending our interests, while others are allowed to
act freely. As it is appropriate to say here: before demanding
something from others, be an example yourself,” he stressed.

Japarov made clear that Kyrgyzstan will not sever ties with
Moscow. “We are not refusing cooperation with Russia in the field
of trade and the economy, since our economic ties with it are much
broader than those of other countries. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan
pursues a multi-vector policy and cooperates practically with the
entire world: every year we sell gold to England in the amount of
about one billion dollars,” he explained.

He closed by underlining his duty to safeguard both the security
and prosperity of Kyrgyz citizens. “My primary duty as president is
to ensure the security of citizens and the country, as well as to
improve their economic well-being. We are against the
politicization of economic cooperation and trade. In this regard,
we demand the lifting of sanctions against our two banks,” Japarov