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Kyrgyzstan : the country of sky mountains and lakes

	August 30, 2004

On August 31 the Kyrgyz Republic celebrates the Day of Independence. Kyrgyz people represent the title nation of the Kyrgyz Republic which is one of the most ancient in the world. The first written evidence of the Kyrgyz people as a nation is found in Chinese chronicle dated as far back as 2,000 BC. They emerged from many Ethoses’ who settled in South Siberia and Central Asia. In 4-3 centuries BC the ancient Kyrgyz were part of strong nomadic tribal unions, which proved to be a serious distress to China. It was at that time when construction of the great Chinese Wall began. In 1-2 centuries BC a part of the Kyrgyz tribes moved to Enisey (“Ene Sai” translates as “Mother River” from the Kyrgyz language) and Baikal (“Bai Kol” in Kyrgyz means “Abundant Lake”). It was there that the Kyrgyz tribes organized their first state and Kyrgyz Khanate, which became to enter for consolidation of the Kyrgyz nation and formation of its culture.

It is possible to say, that the statehood of Kyrgyzstan has been recreated thirteen years ago. Century long hopes and expectations of the nation have come to reality to take the route of the sovereign and independent development.

After gaining of state independence by the country on August 31, 1991, such constituents as democracy, supremacy of law, property rights and robust civil society create a firm and strong foundation for the state.

There are reforms such as the creation of modern democracy institutes (at least at the beginning of the revival as a nation, Kyrgyz people had already democracy as well as the Kyrgyz famous Hero “Manas”, who was the son of the common Kyrgyz family has been already chosen by the people as a leader of the Kyrgyz Nation), to market economy, to save the education (Kyrgyzstan has more than 94% of the population which have the high and secondary education) and national health are applied to all the spheres of life. Kyrgyzstan is a motherland to more then 80 different ethnic groups, a friendship and mutual understanding are the main elements that strengthen the state, as it is, unity and integrity of the nation. In this connection, the country headed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Askar Akaev, Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the society take up all the necessary measures directed towards strengthening the positive results owing only to the nation’s patience, wisdom and prudence could reach the growth of economy, likewise, the social reform is ameliorating.

Kyrgyzstan was the first Central Asian country to declare its independence in 1991 and emerge as a democratic and liberal reform-oriented country, providing a comprehensive program of market reforms.

Kyrgyzstan occupies the Tien Shan mountain range which stretches for hundreds of kilometers across the north-eastern part of Central Asia. It is located on the same latitude as New York, Italy, Northern Turkey and Japan.

It is a small country, but has a strategic location in Central Asia bordering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and China, and is not far from the huge potential markets of Russia and India. It has predominantly agricultural economy, takes aims to create a favorable investment climate and is making efforts to provide beneficial conditions to foster further investment. Kyrgyz foreign investment legislation guarantees protection for foreign investors from expropriation, nationalization, and similar actions. Kyrgyzstan pursues policies aimed at reducing the inflation rate, providing profit tax incentives for companies with foreign investments as well as exemption from payment and taxes on the import of technological equipment and associated spare parts, granting favorable terms for credits in foreign currencies received from foreign banks and credit institutions. Being one of the most IT-friendly countries in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan welcomes substantial investment in the IT sector.

In the nearest future Kyrgyzstan is about to turn into a bridge between the largest markets of the world:

China, South-East Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Middle East. The implementation of the global project such as TRACECA aimed to establish transport links between Europe and Central Asia, reviving the old Silk Road, which will have a big impact on Kyrgyzstan’s own transport system and will change the image of Kyrgyzstan from a landlocked country to a transit country.

Diversification of the transport communications is reflected in the Doctrine of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. A. Akaev, “the Great Silk Road Diplomacy” as the core issue in the establishing and successfully continuing of the economic, cultural, and transport links between Asian and European countries.

The Great Silk Road, which in ancient times joined East and West, by means of trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian and also political and diplomatic ties, has a history stretching back several thousand years. The revival of the Great Silk Road at this juncture will make it possible to create all necessary conditions for the transformation of the region into an area of stability, security, friendship, co-operation and equitable partnership.

Kyrgyzstan and India belong to the ancient peoples of Asia and also had carried the values of friendship, mutual trust and fidelity to traditions in centuries, which are the foundation of modern Kyrgyz-Indian relations.

India is an indisputable priority for Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy in the South-Asian direction. It should also be mentioned that India is the second largest country in the world in regard to its population and cradle of many civilizations. India is powerfully and dynamically developing it economic, political, science and technical, cultural and humanitarian potential, thus establishing a strong and steady position in the world arena.

Kyrgyzstan shares Indian society’s character and origin, as well as the ideals and values of democracy and secularism, sincere mutual interest and desire for co-operation which create a favorable basis for the productive and beneficial collaboration.

The diplomatic relations between India and Kyrgyzstan were established in 1992. Since that period of time, an interaction between our countries within the regional and global international organizations, including the UN, has been successfully and actively developing. In March 2002, the 10th anniversary of their diplomatic relations was celebrated as the special event.

During this time, the two countries have enjoyed a number of high level official visits on a reciprocal basis, and also the high level of all the discussions which were always conducted under a warm political atmosphere. It is indeed an immense pleasure to note that the latest visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. A. Akaev took place on 10-11 November 2003 in Delhi to participate in the “Summit of Education for All” under the aegis of UNESCO.

On the economic front Kyrgyzstan is looking forward to greater cooperation with India. The inevitability of the widening of the trade and economic ties has been observed so as to develop the relationship for mutual advancement. Kyrgyzstan is presently focusing its attention on the primary trends of cooperation. First of all, the Kyrgyz Republic would like to increase and diversify its trade relations.

Kyrgyzstan is beautiful with mountains covering 94 per cent of the country. Their sheer untouched beauty, largely free from ski lifts, funiculars, frequently used paths and observation platforms, stands majestic and intact.

In 1998 the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2002 as the International Year of Mountains (IYM). During 2002 people all over the world have participated in events to celebrate mountains and discuss ways to promote their conservation and sustainable development.

Kyrgyzstan is a remote and mysterious place to many, yet one filled with exotic sights, colorful, pleasant and ruggedly beautiful scenery. There are unsullied rivers and lakes, for example, famous Lake Issyk-Kul. The vast, mirror-like surface of Lake Issyk-Kul is framed by a silver necklace of snow-capped mountains. The mountain range on the Northern side of the lake is called Terskey Ala-Too, and on the Southern - Kungey Ala-Too, originating from the words “terskey” - shady side and “kungey” - sunny side. The remains of ancient settlements date back to the XIV-XV centuries and lie at the bottom of the lake, at Chon-Koisy, where the ruins of several stone and brick buildings, foundations of building floors, timber floors, fences, etc. are preserved.

Lake Issyk-Kul (170 km long x 70 km wide) and 695 m deep, is considered to be the second largest mountain lake in the world, after Lake Titicaca in Southern America. It is situated high in the mountains at 1600 m. above sea level.

The name “Issyk-Kul” means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz and it never freezes.

The country has managed to preserve its natural world. Remarkable dynamism has prompted changes in Kyrgyzstan’s tourism industry for the past several years. The President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. A.Akaev has put tourism development at the top of the agenda of economic priorities and proclaimed 2001 the “year of tourism”. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has elaborated a 10-year tourism concept, established a perspective plan for the years 2001-2010, the primary purpose of which is forming the image of Kyrgyzstan as a perfect travel destination.

The country with its unique history of culture traditions and natural attractions is an ideal place for tourists.

The Kyrgyz culture has been greatly influenced by its nomadic heritage. It is reflected in the ways of customs, traditions, and rites. The Kyrgyz people have a rich tradition of oral culture, much of the Kyrgyz history has been learned from the epic story “MANAS”, a poetic legend transmitted orally through generations and written down in the XIX century. The Epos gives an insight into all aspects of traditional life of the Kyrgyz: their origin, daily activity, aesthetics, customs, morals, concepts of nature, general knowledge and the language.

On sizes “Manas” has no equal among known eposes of the world. Only in one variant which has been written down from known Kyrgyz storyteller Sayakbai Karalaev (1894-1971), contains more than 5,000 million poetic lines that exceed the volumes of “Iliada” (15,693 poetic lines) and “Odyssey” (12,110 poetic lines), and also “Mahabharata” (about 100 thousand couplets).

Kyrgyzstan is a country with deep-rooted ancient culture in the Asia region. It has influenced the Central Asia region and beyond from the time immemorial through its rich attributes of epic literature and culture, people and nature. A big number of professional theatres of Kyrgyzstan are located mainly in Bishkek.

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan, not only industrial but also cultural centre. The performances, concert programs, various exhibitions and the others are on the scene of theatre, the theatre of opera and ballet, state theatre of drama, state circus, museums, state concert halls, with success which present situations in cultural life of Kyrgyzstan.

In one of the last addresses to the international community the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Askar Akaev has noted:

“From the first days of the formation the sovereign Kyrgyz state, following the primordial moral establishments, lives in peace with the neighbors and all states of the world.

The wise and open foreign policy, kindliness and respect for other peoples and the countries, bringing rich growth, coming back to kind support of the world community, guarantees of our safety and peace. Kyrgyzstan today is an equal in rights and active participant of a world policy and in authority’s international organizations.

Kyrgyzstan today is a habitual place of carrying out of the largest international forums. Kyrgyzstan today is a reliable post of safety in the region, and we have shown it to all worlds, one of the first firmly having risen on ways of the international terrorism”.



“Kyrgyzstan has a nice great past and respectable light future”.