Several European countries have expressed their willingness to attract qualified specialists from Kyrgyzstan, subject to the mandatory acceptance of migrants from Afghanistan and African countries, 24.kg reported.
Speaking at a meeting of the relevant committee of the Zhogorku Kenesh, Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev stated Bishkek's categorical refusal to participate in such negotiations. The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister emphasized that the authorities are reducing the organized sending of citizens to permanent work abroad due to a growing domestic labor shortage, shifting their focus to seasonal contracts and alternative destinations, including Turkey, the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
According to the Ministry of Labor, the number of Kyrgyzstanis working abroad will decrease to 736,600 in 2026, down from 798,400 last year.
Bishkek's rejection of the EU proposal reflects a shift in state policy priorities and the protection of national security. First, the Foreign Ministry's firm position demonstrates the country's unwillingness to sacrifice social stability and domestic order for the sake of foreign policy compromises proposed by European partners.
Second, the decision to preserve domestic labor resources is supported by the republic's dynamic economic development, where the launch of large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects requires retaining qualified personnel within the country.
Third, differentiating migration routes toward Asian countries and America helps reduce the risk of political pressure and ensure the security of citizens in foreign markets without accepting unfavorable counter-obligations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 13, 2026