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Russian, Kyrgyz defense ministers discuss situation in Afghanistan, arms supplies

ASTANA, July 04. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Kyrgyz counterpart Abibilla Kudaiberdiyev have discussed the situation in Afghanistan and supplies of arms and military equipment.

“Unfortunately, it is too early to speak about stability in Afghanistan, even after the elections,” the Russian defense minister said. “We hoped the elections could bring peace to that part of the world, but the situation is different.”

The defense minister said the armed forces of Russia and Kyrgyzstan had been cooperating successfully both under bilateral programs and in the framework of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) and planned to develop mutual security, including at the border of Kyrgyzstan.

Shoigu continued by saying the countries should discuss further training at Russian military education institutions of Kyrgyz specialists, as well as supplies of arms and military equipment.

On Thursday, Shoigu arrived in Astana (Kazakhstan) to participate in another meeting of the CIS defense ministers’ council.