Alikbek Jekshenkulov
Encyclopedia
Alikbek Jeshenkulov is the former Foreign Minister
of Kyrgyzstan
(2005–2007) and now an opposition leader.
He had held that position since September 2005, when he was nominated by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
and confirmed by the Parliament. He was a compromise candidate as the acting foreign minister, Bakiyev's first choice, Roza Otunbayeva
was not confirmed by Parliament. Jekshenkulov had previously been Kyrgyzstan's ambassador to Austria
and then served as the deputy chief of staff and foreign policy advisor to Presidents Askar Akayev
and Kirmanbek Bakiyev.
Jekshenkulov told reporters on 5 October 2006 that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
's first visit to Uzbekistan
, a historic event in Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan relations as it was the first meeting by a Kyrgyz President in ten years, and his meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on 3-4 October, were "very successful. [The two presidents] exchanged views on a large number of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues. There was full mutual understanding and support on a wide range of issues." Jekshenkulov and Karimov signed six agreements in which the Uzbek government agreed to send 30-40 million cubic meters of natural gas
to Kyrgyzstan in 2006 at $55 per 1,000 cubic meters. According to Kyrgystan's Foreign Ministry, they discussed cooperation "against terrorism
, separatism
, and narco-trafficking."
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east...
(2005–2007) and now an opposition leader.
He had held that position since September 2005, when he was nominated by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev is a politician who served as the second President of Kyrgyzstan, from 2005 to 2010...
and confirmed by the Parliament. He was a compromise candidate as the acting foreign minister, Bakiyev's first choice, Roza Otunbayeva
Roza Otunbayeva
Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva is a Kyrgyz diplomat and politican who served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 7 April 2010 until 1 December 2011. She was sworn in on July 3, 2010, after acting as interim leader following the 2010 April revolution which led to the ousting of then President Kurmanbek...
was not confirmed by Parliament. Jekshenkulov had previously been Kyrgyzstan's ambassador to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and then served as the deputy chief of staff and foreign policy advisor to Presidents Askar Akayev
Askar Akayev
Askar Akayevich Akayev served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until his overthrow in the March 2005 Tulip Revolution....
and Kirmanbek Bakiyev.
Jekshenkulov told reporters on 5 October 2006 that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev is a politician who served as the second President of Kyrgyzstan, from 2005 to 2010...
's first visit to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
, a historic event in Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan relations as it was the first meeting by a Kyrgyz President in ten years, and his meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on 3-4 October, were "very successful. [The two presidents] exchanged views on a large number of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues. There was full mutual understanding and support on a wide range of issues." Jekshenkulov and Karimov signed six agreements in which the Uzbek government agreed to send 30-40 million cubic meters of natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
to Kyrgyzstan in 2006 at $55 per 1,000 cubic meters. According to Kyrgystan's Foreign Ministry, they discussed cooperation "against terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, separatism
Separatism
Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy...
, and narco-trafficking."