Top EU diplomat to visit Kyrgyzstan for talks on sanctions

By Aigerim Turgunbaeva

BISHKEK, ⁠Feb 3 (Reuters) - ⁠Kyrgyzstan ‍said on Tuesday the European Union's sanctions envoy would visit on February 26 after ‍a report that the EU was planning to ​ban some exports to the Central Asian country for allegedly ​facilitating Russian sanctions evasion.

Bloomberg News reported last week that the EU was considering the first use of its "last resort" anti-sanctions ​evasion tool by banning exports of certain categories of goods to Kyrgyzstan.

In a statement, Kyrgyzstan's government ​said Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev held a video call with ‌EU envoy David O'Sullivan on Tuesday and they agreed on "constructive and substantive dialogue on sanctions-related ​issues".

It said further talks would ⁠take place during O'Sullivan's visit to Bishkek later this month.

A mountainous country of ‌7 million people, Kyrgyzstan has enjoyed rapid economic growth in recent years, partly by becoming a main clearinghouse ‌for trade with Russia redirected by Western sanctions imposed on ‌Moscow over its war in Ukraine.

Several Kyrgyz bank and cryptocurrency firms have come under U.S., EU and British sanctions for ‍allegedly facilitating illicit trade with Russia.

Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, continues to host ⁠Russian military bases and is in a customs union with Russia, where many of its citizens work as migrant labourers.

(Reporting by Aigerim Turgunbaeva; writing by Felix Light; editing by Mark Heinrich)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Kennedy Center on brink of bankruptcy, could close as early as Tuesday, Washington Post reports
• North Korea held live-fire drills involving artillery and missiles, KCNA says
• Sweden's centre-left opposition bloc seen winning by one seat, election authority projects