An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Statement

Statement | June 16, 2022

READOUT: Gen. Kurilla engages with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla.  –  

On Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th, General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central command, engaged with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic, including: Foreign Policy Advisor Muratbek Azymbakiev; Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev; Minister of Defense General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov; and First Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel Taalaibek Usubaliev.
On Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th, General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central command, engaged with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic, including: Foreign Policy Advisor Muratbek Azymbakiev; Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev; Minister of Defense General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov; and First Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel Taalaibek Usubaliev.
On Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th, General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central command, engaged with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic, including: Foreign Policy Advisor Muratbek Azymbakiev; Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev; Minister of Defense General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov; and First Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel Taalaibek Usubaliev.
Gen. Kurilla engages with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic
On Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th, General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central command, engaged with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic, including: Foreign Policy Advisor Muratbek Azymbakiev; Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev; Minister of Defense General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov; and First Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel Taalaibek Usubaliev.
Download Image
Image Details
Photo By: Courtesy Photo
VIRIN: 220615-M-LM779-002
On Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th, General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central command, engaged with leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic, including:

  • Foreign Policy Advisor Muratbek Azymbakiev;
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev;
  • Minister of Defense General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov; and
  • First Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel Taalaibek Usubaliev.

Throughout a series of formal meetings and participation in traditional Kyrgyz cultural events, the leaders discussed a series of topics related to regional security. The subjects of discussion included opportunities to expand security cooperation between CENTCOM and the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic, protentional security measures to address regional threats, and the concern of violent extremist organizations within the region.

Following the engagements, General Kurilla issued this statement to the Kyrgyz press:

“First and foremost, I am here to reaffirm the U.S. government’s long-standing commitment to the security, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic.  As you know, the United States was the first country to recognize the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. That commitment remains unwavering 30 years on. I fully intend to build on that strong foundation, in the areas of emergency preparedness, humanitarian assistance, and security cooperation.

“And there is a lot to build upon. For example, last year, we reopened the Embassy’s Office of Military Cooperation, which had not been occupied full-time since early 2018.

“U.S.-Kyrgyz cooperation on regional security has great potential.  At the height of our relationship, the United States was providing over $5 million annually in training, equipment, and other support to the Kyrgyz Republic.

“Since 1999 the U.S. International Military Education and Training program has trained more than 500 Kyrgyz military, security service and other ministerial personnel.

“My trip through the Central Asian states continues. My goal is to build relationships with Central Asian leaders, so that we can have productive discussions on how the United States can support Central Asia’s security and ensure the safety of both the region and the world from potential threats. Those relationships, which I began to build in social and formal settings this week, will pay dividends for security across the region.”