Severe damage caused to Kyrgyz-US relations: Bishkek on US visa restrictions on Kyrgyzstan

AKIPRESS.COM - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan released a statement regarding the decision of the administration of US President Donald Trump to introduce visa restrictions on citizens of Kyrgyzstan on Feb 1. "The Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan regrets the decision taken by the US administration, which affects the interests of citizens of Kyrgyzstan. We believe that this move caused a severe damage to the Kyrgyz-American relations.
The American side is well aware that the introduction of biometric travel documents in the country was planned at earlier period, however the process took a longer time for objective reasons. However, the Kyrgyz side, based solely on good will, has taken the necessary measures to exchange relevant information with the US in accordance with the laws of Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan actively participates in international efforts to maintain security, made and continues to make its special contribution to fight against terrorism.
The visa restrictions were imposed selectively on a few states among 80 countries, which haven not yet introduced biometric passports, which contradicts to partnership support for parliamentary democracy successfully developing in Kyrgyzstan.
The government of Kyrgyzstan worked and will work to increase the digitalization level in the country as effective mechanism on combating bureaucracy and corruption. One of the important aspects of this work is to increase the security of national travel documents.
We regard these actions taken by the American side contradict to aspiration of parties to promote bilateral cooperation.
At the same time, Kyrgyzstan is open for joint building constructive and mutually beneficial Kyrgyz-American relations," the statement said.