Kyrgyz FM proposes to set up 5 + 3 Central Asia-South Caucasus interregional platform 

Kyrgyzstan proposes to create a new interregional platform uniting the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbekov said today at a joint news conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku today. The press conference was preceded by talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries, Azerbaijani media reported.

“We think it is time to use the missed opportunities to establish a strategic partnership. We are in favor of creating a new interregional Central Asia-South Caucasus 5 + 3 platform. We propose to intensify the interregional dialogue,” Kazakbekov said. He said Azerbaijan is a very important partner for their country.

Speaking about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Kazakbekov expressed an opinion that it has been resolved.

“The settlement of the Karabakh conflict will give impetus to the development of the region,” he said.

Kyrgyzstan is included in two regional organizations with Armenia, the CSTO and the EEU. The two countries are considered “allies”, but since May 12, when the Azerbaijani armed forces invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia, the Kyrgyz government has not made any statement, even after the official application of Armenia to the CSTO.