Kyrgyz people’s diplomat praises Karabakh revival and Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan ties

The Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar has published an interview with Honoured Cultural Figure of the Kyrgyz Republic, President of the ASSOL International Public Foundation, Vice President and Secretary General of the Chingiz Aitmatov Issyk-Kul Forum, Vice President of the International Commonwealth of People's Diplomacy, journalist, producer, and TV presenter Assol Moldokmatova.

As reported by AZERTAC, in the interview titled “Karabakh Through the Eyes of People's Diplomat Assol Moldokmatova,” the author of the international project “Leaders of the World” shared her impressions of her visit to Azerbaijan, during which she took part in a number of international events dedicated to the development of humanitarian cooperation in the Turkic world, visited the Karabakh region, and spoke about the role of culture in strengthening peace and the factors contributing to the strengthening of Azerbaijani-Kyrgyz relations.

According to Assol Moldokmatova, what impressed her most was not only the scale of the reconstruction work in Karabakh, but also the approach to the region’s development. “I was struck by the ability of the state, after enduring severe trials, not to dwell on the past, but to begin creating the future,” she said.

Commenting on the restoration and reconstruction of Karabakh, the interviewee agreed with the assessment that the region is now one of the largest construction sites of the 21st century in the post-Soviet space. She noted that transport infrastructure, education, culture, healthcare, housing construction, and digital technologies are all being developed simultaneously. “This is a systematic state strategy, not a collection of individual projects. When a state thinks decades ahead, it always commands respect,” Assol Moldokmatova emphasised.

In the interview, she also spoke about her visit to Aghdam and the city of Shusha. According to her, Aghdam leaves a powerful impression as a reminder of the consequences of war while at the same time serving as a symbol of revival. “The scale of construction, the new roads, residential neighbourhoods, schools, mosques, and cultural facilities all show that life is returning. For me, it became an example of how a state is capable not only of rebuilding buildings, but also of restoring hope to people,” she noted.

Speaking about Shusha, Assol Moldokmatova emphasised the city's unique historical and cultural atmosphere. “Here, one especially feels the depth of history and culture. When you walk through these streets, you understand why this city is called the cultural capital of Azerbaijan. There is a profound respect for its roots and for the memory of outstanding figures in art, literature, and music. Shusha is a place where the past and the present exist within a single space,” she said.

According to Assol Moldokmatova, Aghdam and Shusha reflect two sides of the same story—the pain of loss and the strength of revival—and this is what leaves the strongest impression. The people's diplomat expressed her gratitude to the leadership of Azerbaijan for the opportunity to personally witness the transformations taking place in the country. “I am sincerely grateful to the Government of Azerbaijan for the opportunity to see everything with my own eyes. Such visits make it possible to abandon stereotypes, see the real picture, feel the spirit of the people, and better understand the value of peace. I am confident that humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan will continue to strengthen, opening up new opportunities for our peoples,” she emphasised.

Touching upon the role of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the country's development, including the restoration of Karabakh, Assol Moldokmatova noted his ability to make strategic decisions and take responsibility for them, which, in her view, defines the stature of a statesman. “History cannot be changed by slogans—it is changed by decisions for which a leader is prepared to take personal responsibility. In my opinion, this is precisely the role of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

When you find yourself in Karabakh, you realise that this is not only about restoring territories. The country faced a far more complex task—to bring life back to places where it had been virtually absent for many years. This means building cities, roads, airports, schools, hospitals, engineering infrastructure, creating jobs, and establishing the conditions necessary for people to return. Projects of this scale cannot be implemented without a long-term strategy, consistent state policy, and the ability to unite all state institutions around this goal. This requires tremendous responsibility toward both the present and future generations.

As someone who has been engaged in public diplomacy for many years, I know that leaders are best judged not by assessments, but by results. And when you see the scale of what has already been accomplished with your own eyes, you realise the enormous volume of decisions, resources, and daily effort behind these transformations. Perhaps this is what truly defines the stature of a statesman—not only making historic decisions, but also creating the conditions under which those decisions become real changes that people can see, feel, and pass on to future generations,” Moldokmatova said.

Speaking about the factors behind the dynamic development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in recent years, the journalist emphasised the role of the heads of the two states. “Undoubtedly, the foundation of any strategic partnership is the political will of the leaders of state. It is the leaders who set the direction of bilateral relations, foster an atmosphere of trust, and open up new opportunities for cooperation. Today, the relationship between President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev serves as an important foundation for the further development of cooperation between our countries,” she noted.

At the same time, Moldokmatova emphasised the role of people-to-people contacts and public diplomacy in strengthening ties between the two countries. “An enormous role is played by the people who work every day, painstakingly, and often unnoticed, to strengthen these relations. <…> It is precisely this daily work that creates genuine trust between states. Major political decisions are made at the highest level, but their durability largely depends on the people who give these agreements real substance. That is why today relations between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are developing not only at the level of official diplomacy, but also through human interaction, culture, science, and mutual respect. And this is already a solid foundation for cooperation for many years to come,” she stated.

At the end of the interview, Assol Moldokmatova admitted that she left Azerbaijan convinced that creation is always stronger than destruction. “That is the thought I took away with me. Cities can be lost, and nations can endure severe trials, but if a people preserve their dignity, hard work, respect for their history, and the desire to build the future, they will undoubtedly be reborn,” the people's diplomat from Kyrgyzstan emphasised.