UNIPATH STAFF
During a visit to Kyrgyzstan in October 2022, U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Elizabeth Trudeau stressed that the U.S. sees a strong partner in Kyrgyzstan. She visited Kyrgyzstan to discuss the importance of the freedom of the press and media and listen to the Kyrgyz people and the government on how they see the future of Kyrgyz-American relations.
During a meeting with Dairbek Orunbekov, head of the Information Policy Service of the Kyrgyz Presidential Administration, Ms. Trudeau expressed admiration for Kyrgyzstan’s free press as a bright light in the region.
“You have provided open access for the press, diplomatic missions and international organizations. We appreciate the measured, calm approach that Kyrgyzstan has taken to preserve regional stability,” she noted at the meeting.
In an interview with Radio Azattyk, Trudeau said that the U.S. was ready to sign a new Bilateral Cooperation Agreement (BCA) with Kyrgyzstan. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya made a similar statement during her visit to Kyrgyzstan in April 2022.
The previous BCA ended more than seven years ago. The U.S. is interested in deepening economic cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. Some of the benefits of the agreement are additional humanitarian and economic aid to Kyrgyzstan and “tax exemptions and protections for U.S. civilian and military personnel in Kyrgyzstan in connection with U.S. assistance programs,” Trudeau said.