"The sanctions are being used to punish Russia are harming the entire region," Almazbek Atambayev, President of Kyrgyzstan
Euronews:We consider your visit to Brussels as a Bachelor Party before joining Eurasia Kyrgyzstan in may, and move away from the European Union?Almazbek Atambayev:On the contrary. I believe that, as part of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Kyrgyzstan will be pushed to a firm commitment with the European Union. Europe should extend from Lisbon and Brussels to Vladivostok and, of course, to Bishkek.Euronews:Why did you decide to Bishkek join Moscow and Brussels?Atambayev:We are ready to join the European Union. But when two years ago I said that we would be ready to sign an agreement with the European Union, I was told that the EU has no common border with Kyrgyzstan.Euronews:That's the only obstacle?Atambayev:Apparently, Yes. There is only one reliable way to get to Europe. He goes through Russia and Kazakhstan. I think that, together, we're moving in that direction.Euronews:There are Human rights organizations who criticize the Kyrgyzstan to follow Russia's example in the preparation of laws against what they call "gay propaganda" and on compulsory registration of NGOs as "foreign agents". Aren't they lose democratic freedoms acquired?Atambayev:You're confusing the Kyrgyzstan with other countries. All laws are taken to Parliament. When people ask me questions like this, it shows that many people think of an old-fashioned way. In Kyrgyzstan's Parliament decides to adopt laws. And often the laws are such that I have to veto them.Euronews:There is also a proposal to take the official status of the Russian language in Kyrgyzstan. We remember what happened in Ukraine when it took a similar decision.Atambayev:Our Parliament has already tried to adopt that law and, at the time, I vetoed it. They couldn't pass over my veto. When the revolution happened in Ukraine we were probably the only ones in Central Asia, to congratulate the Ukraine. But we ask the Ukrainians to pay special attention to inter-ethnic issues. Because we remember that in 2010, a few months after our revolution, some forces organized interethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan, as it does today in southern Ukraine. And we warned the Ukrainians to that.Euronews:What is the position of Kyrgyzstan with regard to the Russia's actions in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea?Atambayev:Of course I always supported the territorial integrity of any country. On the other hand, the current situation in Crimea is the result of a referendum. I'm sure if perform dozens of referenda, as this, 90% of the inhabitants of the Crimea would vote for the Crimea was part of Russia. Our position? We believe that the current conflict must end, must find a compromise solution. The Minsk agreement must be implemented in detail and needs.Euronews: Due to this situation, Russia is increasing its isolation in international terms. The Kyrgyzstan won't be pushed to this isolation?Atambayev: The sanctions are being used to punish Russia are harming the entire region, including Kyrgyzstan's economy. I believe that the future does not pass by the escalating conflict between Europe and Russia. The future passes through the end of this conflict. Europe must be one and indivisible.Euronews: Was the first Statesman to meet with Putin, to March 16, after his mysterious disappearance. With that impression stayed? The State of mind of the Russian President is someone who is ready for a confrontation with the West, with the European Union on this issue?Atambayev: Putin is the man who reunified Russia. It is clear that President Putin does not need this confrontation. On the other hand, he wants to protect the interests of Russia and, above all, the Russian-speaking population in southeastern Ukraine and in General, apparently, of the whole Ukraine.Euronews: One of the main threats for the European Union comes from the so-called Islamic State. Thinks that his country can cooperate with the EU to contain this threat?Atambayev: How many billions of dollars are spent on wars in Afghanistan or Iraq or Libya or elsewhere any ... You can't stop them with force. They can only be caught by showing them the example of a country â€" a secular, democratic Muslim country. I'm tired of saying it would be much cheaper to help Kyrgyzstan to build a democratic, secular State, in our Muslim country. But we are abandoned, without any real support from democratic countries.Euronews: Can I quote some of the fruits that have succeeded in your long-term interaction with the European Union?Atambayev:
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