Economic Dimension in the Foreign Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic. From Privatization to Conceptualization?

Abstract

This thesis examines the effects that two different political regimes of Akaev and Bakiev had on the formation of the foreign policy of the Kyrgyz Republic in economic dimension. The analysis will be conducted through the examination of the Kumtor gold mine project. Scholars in foreign policy analysis studying the process of foreign policy decision-making have identified that individuals play a vital role in influencing the final outcome of the decision made. This work takes a step back into two previous periods of different presidential regimes in the Kyrgyz Republic and analyzes the first economic reforms made and their impact onto the economic sector of the country. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to conduct a comparative foreign policy analysis of two different presidential management style periods of Askar Akaev and Kurmanbek Bakiev in order to explore whether foreign policy decision making in economic dimension of the Kyrgyz Republic is influenced by state’s based economic need interests or by certain business groups interests based on self-enrichment goals and whether the “privatization” issue is conceptualized in the economic policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.