Kyrgyzstan unwilling to host Afghan, African refugees from EU in exchange for jobs in Europe - FM

BISHKEK. Oct 14 (Interfax) - European countries have proposed that Kyrgyzstan accept migrants from Afghanistan and African nations in exchange for allowing Kyrgyz citizens to work in the European Union, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev said.

"EU representatives say they would host our compatriots, but we, as a third country, would have to take in migrants from Afghanistan and Africa currently staying there. We are categorically opposed to this," Kulubayev said in a speech at a parliamentary committee meeting.

"Kyrgyz citizens can go to Europe and work there on their own. We will not engage in targeted negotiations based on such conditions," Kulubayev said.