On January 12, a meeting took place in Bishkek between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Meter Abakirov, and the U.S. Ambassador to the country, Leslie Viguerie.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, the participants discussed key aspects of Kyrgyz-American partnership and prospects for its further development.
Details of the upcoming "B5+1" forum, scheduled for February 4-5 in Bishkek, were also discussed. The parties reviewed organizational matters and the content of the event, as well as its role in strengthening dialogue in the region and expanding cooperation between Central Asia and the United States.
During the conversation, attention was drawn to the new U.S. requirements for B-1/B-2 visa applications from Kyrgyz citizens. The Kyrgyz side expressed its concerns regarding the introduction of these measures, emphasizing the need to create more favorable conditions for travel for citizens of both countries. It was also noted that such measures could negatively affect business interactions and hinder the development of trade and economic ties.
Leslie Viguerie, for her part, noted that the new visa requirements are not directed against any specific country and are part of the overall U.S. immigration policy, which considers the need to comply with visa legislation.
As a result of the discussions, the parties agreed on the necessity of close cooperation to find mutually beneficial solutions aimed at addressing current issues in the visa sphere.
