Kyrgyzstan: New Cabinet, Premier Japarov sworn in

By Nazir Aliyev Tayfur

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AA) - Kyrgyzstan’s new Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov and his Cabinet were sworn in on Wednesday.

The government members of Japarov, who got a vote of confidence in parliament two weeks ago, took their oaths of office by putting their hands on the Constitution in the capital Bishkek.

The Cabinet includes First Deputy Prime Minister Artem Novikov, Deputy Prime Minister Elvira Surabaldieva, Deputy Prime Minister Maksat Mamytkanov, Deputy Prime Minister Ravshan Sabirov, Interior Minister Ulanbek Niyazbekov, Finance Minister Kyialbek Mukashev, Justice Minister Marat Jamankulov, Economy Minister Sanjar Mukanbetov, Agriculture Minister Tilek Toktogaziev, Education Minister Almazbek Beishenaliev, Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, Transport and Roads Minister Bakyt Berdaliev, Culture, Information and Tourism Minister Nurjigit Kadyrbekov, State National Security Committee Chairman Kamchibek Tashiev, State Defense Committee Chairman Erlis Terdikbaev, State Industry, Energy and Mining Committee Chairman Jirgalbek Sagynbaev, and State IT and Communications Committee Chairman Alynbek Ismailov.

Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev could not attend the swearing-in ceremony as he was in Kazakhstan. No one has yet been appointed to head the Labor and Social Development Ministry.

Japarov, 51, had also temporarily assumed the presidency after President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned from his post.

Japarov is the 32nd prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, which will celebrate the 29th anniversary of its independence next Aug. 31.

Presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan are set for Jan. 10, 2021.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar