The United States is considering extending the visa period for Kyrgyzstan, US Ambassador Lesslie Viguerie said at a meeting with the Kyrgyz Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The Parliamentary Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan with the United States met with US Ambassador Lesslie Viguerie. The meeting was attended by parliamentarians Akylbek Tumonbaev, Balbak Tulobaev, Karim Khandzheza and the head of the group, Emil Toktoshev.
At the meeting, the parties discussed issues of expanding political and economic relations and inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, the Parliament’s press service said.
“The expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation is an important element in the development of our relations. US Senator Gary Peters visited Kyrgyzstan in August and was received by the Speaker of Parliament Nurlanbek Shakiev. I hope that you will contribute to the further development of interparliamentary cooperation between our countries,” Toktoshev said.
Commenting on the issuance of American visas to Kyrgyz citizens, MP Emil Toktoshev added that Kyrgyz youth are interested in travelling to the United States for educational and tourism purposes.
“Unfortunately, our citizens face a number of problems in obtaining visas, in particular, they often receive refusals,” stressed Emil Toktoshev, noting the need to consider the issue of simplifying the procedure for obtaining visas for citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
Congressmen Balbak Tulobaev and Karim Khandzheza expressed their interest in developing Kyrgyz-American relations, paying particular attention to strengthening interparliamentary ties. MP Akylbek Tumonbaev emphasised that in addition to issues of expanding trade and economic cooperation, it is necessary to intensify relations between the Kyrgyz Parliament and the US Congress.
Ambassador Lesslie Viguerie indicated that he intends to focus his diplomatic activities on developing relations between the two countries, particularly in the areas of economy, education and health care. He expressed interest in strengthening inter-parliamentary relations.
The Ambassador added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic had approached the United States on the issue of issuing visas, and that Washington was considering extending the validity of visas for Kyrgyzstan.
