After negotiations in Bishkek in both a narrow and expanded format, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Russia, Sadyr Zhaparov and Vladimir Putin, summarized and shared plans for bilateral cooperation, the press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan reports.
The meeting between the two presidents was conducted in a friendly atmosphere and proved to be highly productive. Discussions covered the entire spectrum of Russian-Kyrgyz relations, as well as regional and international issues.
Regarding Russia's support for Kyrgyzstan's proposals, President Putin noted that the countries are actively transitioning to settlements in their national currencies and expanding their banking cooperation. The share of the ruble in bilateral trade has reached 83%.
He emphasized the contribution of Eurasian integration to Kyrgyzstan's economic growth and expressed readiness to support plans to increase the level of gasification in the country to 60%.
"Russia is one of Kyrgyzstan's leading trade and economic partners. Last year, trade turnover between Russia and Kyrgyzstan increased by 37%, reaching $3.5 billion. In the first half of this year, it increased by an additional 17.9%. Russia is the largest investor in Kyrgyzstan's economy. Over 800 enterprises with Russian participation are currently operating in the country," Putin emphasized.
Particular attention was paid to military and military-technical cooperation. Putin reminded of the history of the Kant airbase and its role in enhancing security. The Kant airbase was established at the request of the Kyrgyzstan leadership in 2003 and is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The Russian leader shared his vision of developing humanitarian ties, including the opening of branches of Russian universities in Kyrgyzstan.
According to Putin, the results of the visit will contribute to strengthening the allied relations between the two countries.
In response, Sadyr Zhaparov highlighted the strong foundation and wide prospects for further strengthening the relations of alliance and strategic partnership between the two fraternal nations.
The President of Kyrgyzstan emphasized the importance of further enhancing cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian areas, as well as in energy, agriculture, interregional cooperation, and the development of "green economy" projects.
During the negotiations, the leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Russia paid great attention to issues of trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, interregional cooperation, and also discussed Kyrgyz-Russian cooperation within international regional organizations and integration associations.
President Putin personally awarded the Russian Order of Honor to his Kyrgyz colleague. Before Zhaparov, 12 prominent citizens of Kyrgyzstan had been honored with this prestigious Russian order for their significant contributions to the development and strengthening of Kyrgyz-Russian relations.
Zhaparov was awarded this high Russian honor for his "significant contribution to the strengthening of the strategic partnership and alliance between the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as for the development of integration processes in the Eurasian space."
President Putin's visit to Kyrgyzstan marks the first trip beyond Russia's borders in 2023. He will participate in the summit of heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus are already in Bishkek. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan informed in a phone conversation with Zhaparov that he would not be able to come to Bishkek.
The CIS includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Moldova significantly reduced its participation in the CIS after the election of Maia Sandu as the country's president. Earlier, Georgia announced its withdrawal from the CIS, followed by Ukraine.
The summit of heads of CIS states will be held on October 13, 2023, at which the chairmanship in the Commonwealth will be transferred from Kyrgyzstan to Russia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
October 12, 2023