PMs of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan exchange accusations at summit in Tashkent

The Prime Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan exchanged accusations at the CIS summit of heads of government in Tashkent.

Sapar Isakov told his colleagues about the problems on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border. «Kyrgyzstan ratified the protocol on the free trade zone and fulfilled all the conditions. Unfortunately, it is difficult to talk about the work of the free trade zone, since individual participants do not fulfill the conditions. On the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border, these norms are not being fulfilled,» the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan said.

Kazakhstan, using the transit advantage, creates artificial barriers to the movement of goods and cars. Cars are under control for up to five days. Each time there are various justifications — up to the point that Kyrgyzstan carries smuggling. Can we call agricultural products, milk products smuggling?

Sapar Isakov

«There are facts of detention and inspection of railway cars of third countries. The entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, as well as third countries suffer losses. The measures taken are contrary to the norms of international law. For more than 20 days the situation hasn’t changed, which forces Kyrgyzstan to apply to the EEU and WTO. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic hopes that the strengthened measures are temporary,» Sapar Isakov said.

Bakytzhan Sagintayev confessed that he did not want to speak on this issue, but he had to reply to Sapar Isakov.

These are incorrect statements. Our position fully corresponds to the norms of the EEU. We call for the confirmation of our commitments within the framework of the Union. We openly talk about this and hope to be heard.

Bakytzhan Sagintayev

«Legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic on tax administration should be brought into line. We protect not only our interests, but also the interests of the EEU. We are ready for dialogue and cooperation in the area of ​​veterinary, phytosanitary and customs control. Our goal is to create a stable development of the countries of the Union,» he explained.