The UK recognised Kyrgyzstan on 20 January 1992 and diplomatic relations were established on 12 June 1992. All UK diplomats in Kazakhstan are jointly accredited to Kyrgyzstan, and visit regularly. The Ambassador is based in the Embassy in Astana and the Embassy Office in Almaty provides visa and consular services. The UK also retains an Honorary Consulate in Bishkek. The first Kyrgyz Ambassador to the UK arrived in September 1997.

FCO funding for Kyrgyzstan focuses on human rights and democracy building. In recent years projects have focused on capacity building, election monitoring, conflict prevention, and training for lawyers.

The UK and Kyrgyzstan signed an MOU on defence co-operation in January 2006. This  provides a framework for more effective support from the Kyrgyz for UK assistance in defence matters. Our defence programme currently includes training in the UK for officers and NCOs, English for peacekeeping, and mountain warfare training. The mountain warfare training is focused on strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s borders against drugs and arms trafficking.