President Atambayev says Kyrgyzstan’s rights being infringed at EAEU

On December 1, President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev has accused his Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) partners in a secret blockade of his country in the field of phytosanitary and veterinary. Speaking at a news conference at Ala-Archa state residence when journalists voiced Kyrgyzstan’s problems that have emerged after the country joined EAEU, Atambayev said it would be even worse if Bishkek refused from joining the Union.

“There would have been blockade and migrants would have found themselves in a terrible situation. Now, there are certain breakthroughs concerning the status of labor migrants. Why do the people complain? We can see a secret blockade by our fraternal and friendly neighbors. Despite the leadership’s decision, the blockade in the field of phytosanitary and veterinary continues. This does not look good. I had to speak about it in Astana. When we were in Astana, I told about it. Respectful Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev were present there. I said then: ‘Let’s be either equal partners or like in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm where ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’ If there are senior brothers at EAEU, let’s know about it. We say we have established EAEU on the model of the European Union, but in EU they respect weaker partners, while we face longstops on any agreements. Of course, the people expected different processes. Psychologically, I can understand, we joined a fraternal union and met a senior brother who trips us up constantly. We are all fraternal nations – Kazakhs, Russians, Belarusians, and Armenians. In this light, the difference is great. We can see disagreements of Belarus and Russia,’” Atambayev said.

The Kyrgyz president believes that the EAEU leaders must start equal partnership inside the Union, apply equal rules, and stop thinking that “Kyrgyzstan should, but Kazakhstan shouldn’t,” otherwise the union will have no future.