BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan has rejected a proposal from European nations to host Afghan and African refugees in exchange for creating legal employment opportunities for skilled Kyrgyz workers in Europe.
Speaking during a parliamentary committee meeting, Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev confirmed Bishkek’s stance against serving as a third-country processing hub.
Bishkek rejects linked labour terms
Kulubaev made the remarks during a session of parliament’s Committee on International Affairs, Defence, Security and Migration following questions on overseas employment schemes. He noted that European officials had proposed taking in Kyrgyz workers on condition that Kyrgyzstan accept asylum seekers currently in Europe.
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“EU representatives proposed that they would host our compatriots, but we, as a third country, would have to take in migrants from Afghanistan and Africa currently staying there,” Kulubaev said. “We are categorically opposed to this.”
He added that while Bishkek supports citizens seeking employment abroad independently, the government will not negotiate bilateral migration deals tied to such conditions.
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The proposal comes as several European governments adopt stricter migration measures, including schemes to establish offshore processing and transfer centres outside the European Union.
Kulubaev highlighted that destinations for Kyrgyz labour are diversifying, with increasing numbers travelling to Turkiye and the United States. He emphasised that protecting the living standards and working conditions of Kyrgyz nationals abroad remains a priority, while maintaining that Kyrgyzstan will not accept external asylum transfers.
