Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan held a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Complex.

Holding a joint press conference with President Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, Erdoğan said: “Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic 30 years ago. This year also marks the 10th year since we elevated our relations to the strategic partnership level. We will further strengthen our ties of eternal brotherhood with Kyrgyzstan.”

“We are of the same opinion that FETO poses a national security threat to both countries”

Stressing that Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic 30 years ago, Erdoğan stated: “This year also marks the 10th year since we elevated our relations to the strategic partnership level. We will further strengthen our ties of eternal brotherhood with Kyrgyzstan. We reaffirmed this will of ours during our meeting with Mr. President.”

All the current issues from the fight against terrorist organizations, especially FETO, to regional cooperation were discussed during his tête-à-tête with the Kyrgyz President, Erdoğan pointed out. “With my august brother, we are of the same opinion that FETO poses a national security threat to both countries. Recent incidents have once again unveiled FETO’s dark and ugly face. We will inshallah join forces and overcome this threat together.”

“We stand by the Kyrgyz Republic in every step it takes for political stability”

Erdoğan continued as follows: “I reiterated to Mr. President Turkey’s support for the Kyrgyz people and state. We stand by the Kyrgyz Republic in every step it takes for political stability. The constitutional referendum held on April 11 was a turning point. The Kyrgyz people opted for the Presidential System of Government in this referendum. I hope the new system will be auspicious. I am of the belief that Kyrgyzstan will move faster towards its goals with the new capabilities provided by the new system.”

Also touching upon the regrettable incidents that took place on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border in April, Erdoğan described these incidents between the two brotherly nations as saddening and voiced Turkey’s wish for the problem to be resolved by peaceful means by the two neighboring countries.

“We will increase our efforts to attain $1 billion trade target”

Noting that bilateral trade was also discussed in detail during the tête-à-tête, Erdoğan highlighted that the two countries’ $507 million trade volume didn’t see a significant drop despite the pandemic, and said: “However, it is evident that our potential is way bigger. We will increase our efforts to attain a $1 billion trade target. We exchanged views about how we can deepen our cooperation in such areas as transport, health, mining, energy, tourism, education, culture, and development aid. We have consolidated the contractual basis of our strategic partnership with the decisions we have taken and the documents that have just been signed.” (ILKHA)