MOSCOW, February 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan is scheduled to be held in March 2019, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Russia Alikbek Jekshenkulov told TASS.
"Three official meetings between the two countries’ heads of state Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Vladimir Putin were held last year alone. The Russian president’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of the Kyrgyz president is planned this coming March. Its date, program, agenda and events during the visit are currently being agreed on by the parties," he said.
The ambassador added that during the visit it was also planned to hold a meeting of the Kyrgyz-Russian intergovernmental conference attended by the two countries’ business communities in Bishkek. "We are open to dialogue and cooperation, and we are glad that Russia likewise supports our joint ideas and suggestions in every possible way," the diplomat pointed out.
According to the envoy, it is essential for Kyrgyzstan to discuss with Russia as its key ally the intensification of military-political cooperation and security in Central Asia, including countering threats emanating from Afghanistan and terror sleeper cells in the region. Kyrgyzstan would like to develop joint practical actions to combat terrorism in the Fergana Valley, he stressed.
"We believe that creating conditions for raising the level of bilateral trade and economic cooperation and bilateral relations is a pressing issue," Jekshenkulov went on to say. "We are interested in Russian investment, the arrival of Russian business circles, not only large companies and corporations but also medium and small businesses."
According to the Kyrgyz ambassador, work is underway on a large package of documents aimed at implementing projects in the military, economic, migration and law enforcement spheres, interregional cooperation and foreign policy interaction.
Invitation
Daniyar Sydykov, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Kyrgyz President's Office, earlier said that Jeenbekov had invited Putin to pay a state visit to his country. According to Sydykov, the Russian leader could visit Bishkek in late March 2019. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans for Putin’s visit to Kyrgyzstan but noted it was too early to talk about specific dates.