Alikbek Jeshenkulov (born 25 May 1957 in Cholon, Naryn District, Kyrgyzstan) is the former Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan (2005–2007) and now the leader of the oppositional party "Za spravedlivost" (For Justice). Career In 1980 he finished Ukrainian Agricultural Academy as engineer for forest economy. Later in 1999 he graduated at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation with a doctor of political sciences. 1980-1982 he was head of a section of the State committee for forest economy. Then he started his political career in the Communist Youth Movement Comsomol. 1982-1986 he was Secretary, then First Secretary of the Comsomol of the Alamedin Rayon. 1986-1988 he was already Secretary of the CK of the Komsomol of Kyrgyzstan. 1988-1990 he was First Secretary of the Osh Rayon Comsomol. 1990-1992 he was Deputy Head, then First Deputy of the State Committee for Youth Affairs. 1992 he became a referent in the Аpparatus of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. 1992-1994 he was Head of the Standing Parliamentary Commission for international and interparliamentary relations. 1994-2000 he became Deputy, then First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Since 2000, he was ambassador of Kyrgyzstan in Austria, Permanent Representative at the international organizations in Vienna and later also at the OSCE. Since 14 January 2004 he became Head of the Foreign Policy Section and Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan. Foreign Minister In September 2005, he was named Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, nominated by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and confirmed by the Parliament. He was a compromise candidate as the acting foreign minister, Bakiyev's first choice, Roza Otunbayeva was not confirmed by Parliament. Jekshenkulov has been a foreign policy advisor to both Presidents - Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev. During his time in office were held negotiations with the Americans about Ganci U.S. Base at Manas airport which ended in June 2006 inconclusively. But Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov suggested the dispute was not just about the rent. He listed "ecology, security, and taxes" among the other sticking points that were examined during the past two days. During his state visit to China in June 2006 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev was accompanied by Economics Minister Akylbek Zhaparov and Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov. They signed several agreements of cooperation between both countries. Another highlight of his career was his visit with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to Uzbekistan, the first meeting after