Kyrgyz Embassy in Brussels Confers “Certificate of Merit” on Journalist Derya Soysal

Brussels, The Gulf Observer: The Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium has conferred a “Certificate of Merit” on Derya Soysal, a journalist and researcher specialising in Central Asian affairs, in recognition of her contribution to relations between Kyrgyzstan and Europe.

The certificate was presented in person by the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr Aidit Erkin, at a ceremony held at the Embassy in Brussels. The mission, based in the Belgian capital, also represents Kyrgyzstan to France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

According to the text of the citation prepared by the Embassy, the award recognises Ms Soysal’s sustained cooperation with the mission and her personal commitment to strengthening EU–Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan–Belgium relations. The citation further notes her support for the Embassy’s activities and her contribution to promoting Kyrgyz culture, tourism and investment potential through her work in journalism, media and publishing.

Receiving the certificate during the ceremony, Ms Soysal described the recognition as a source of considerable pride and said it reflected her longstanding objective of building a bridge between Central Asia and Europe.

A recognised voice on Central Asian affairs

A graduate of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), where she completed a master’s degree in Central Asian environmental policy, Ms Soysal has conducted research over several years on the history, culture and diplomacy of the region.

She is the founder of EUReflect, a Brussels-based platform through which she produces content introducing European audiences to Central Asia’s historical heritage, literature and contemporary political developments. She also writes academic and journalistic pieces on regional questions.

The award from the Kyrgyz Embassy follows her engagement with other states of the region, including Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and is regarded as an extension of a body of work covering Central Asia as a whole. Her activity in Brussels has focused on presenting the region to European institutions and to a wider public in the Belgian capital.

Recognition of civil society and independent media

The Embassy’s decision also reflects the value placed by the mission on the role of civil society actors and independent journalists in strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries. Embassy officials have noted that figures working across both media and academia contribute to Kyrgyzstan’s international visibility.

Following the ceremony, Ms Soysal said she intended to continue her work to strengthen cultural dialogue between Central Asia and Europe, adding that she is preparing new cooperation projects with countries of the region in the period ahead.