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Putin to hold talks in Bishkek with President of Kyrgyzstan

The leaders of Russia and Kyrgyzstan are going to discuss a wide range of issues of Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation in political, economic and humanitarian spheres

DUSHANBE, February 28. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to complete his working visit to Tajikistan and will travel to Bishkek for a meeting with President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev. The Russian leader's trip to Central Asia was timed to the 25th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters, that the leaders of Russia and Kyrgyzstan are going to discuss a wide range of issues of Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation in political, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as the prospects of expanding cooperation in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In addition, according to Ushakov, the parties "share a vision of the main threats and challenges to regional security in Central Asia." "Together we fight extremism, drug trafficking and organized crime," Ushakov said.

Following the meeting, a number of bilateral documents will be signed and after that, Putin and Atambayev will make statements to the press.

According to Ushakov, Putin might soon visit Bishkek again, potentially in April - May, when Kyrgyzstan will welcome the Eurasian Economic Union summit.

Russia is one of the leading trade partners of Kyrgyzstan, with a share of its foreign trade turnover at nearly 20%. In 2016, trade turnover between the two countries fell by 13% to $1.2 bln due to volatility of foreign exchange markets and commodity prices. At the same time, due to the accession of Kyrgyzstan to the EAEU, Kyrgyz exports to Russia increased significantly in 2016 - by 138% to $171 mln (including food and agricultural raw materials - 61%).