BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - There are almost no relations between the Kurdistan Region and Kyrgyzstan, yet the Kurdish flag flies proudly in the centre of the Krygyz capital Bishkek. The flag has been displayed alongside world states for two decades, but has gone largely unnoticed by most Kurds worldwide.
The decision to fly the flag was made following the countless efforts of Ramazan Seyidov of the Kurdish Association in Kyrgyzstan.
"In 2004, we went to the Kurdistan Region with a delegation. There we met Nechirvan Barzani. He was prime minister at the time. We talked a lot about the lives of the Kurds of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia," Seyidov said.
"I said, 'We want to build a [Kurdish] base there’. He said, 'I don't think it will happen'. I replied, 'We live there, and we know that nation well, we know that state well. If you say yes, we are ready’,” Seyidov recalled of his conversation with Barzani, who he said gave them his blessing.
“We came back. We worked with the state for three to four months. The flag was officially raised,” he said.
Kyrgyzstan declared its independence in 1991, after the collapse of the Union of Soviet. The country currently has diplomatic relations with 123 countries, but only 83 have opened embassies in Bishkek.