Economic Aspects of The Foreign Policy of Kyrgyzstan: Analysis of Modern Trends

Abstract

The multi-vector nature of the unstable foreign policy of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan contradicts its official traditional course: ever-changing regional, bloc, and geopolitical processes encourage the country to regularly revise its foreign economic policy and refuse to comply with its conceptual framework. The main research method is the comparative analysis of sources, including scientific literature, statistical data, official documents, and opinions of political experts. The authors of the article have considered the economic and political cooperation of Kyrgyzstan with major actors influencing the economic and political landscape in Central Asia. They have systematized mechanisms of intervention in the internal economy and politics of Kyrgyzstan on the part of major political players (USA, EU, Russian Federation, China, Turkey) and inter-country political blocs (EAEU, SCO, CSTO). It has been established that the economic and foreign policy potential of neighbors (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) in Central Asia is used to exert economic pressure on the foreign policy decisions taken by Kyrgyzstan. Considering the sanctions imposed against Russia, the role of Kyrgyzstan as a transit country of goods and a parallel importer has increased. The authors have revealed and classified barriers and factors that discourage investors from financing infrastructure and economic projects in Kyrgyzstan. It is worth mentioning the important transit role of Kyrgyzstan for China which is particularly interested in strengthening the economic dependence of Kyrgyzstan.