MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday met with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov following a CSTO summit in Moscow and praised relations between the countries, noting there are issues requiring discussion.

"Now there is an opportunity to talk about our bilateral relations," Putin said. "There are many questions, but I would like to note right away that, on the whole, our relations are developing positively."

The president highlighted a "rather serious" increase in trade between the two countries last year, which climbed by more than 30%. "Russia confidently occupies the first position in trade by Kyrgyzstan," Putin said.

"There are, of course, issues that require a separate discussion," he said. "I am very glad that on the sidelines of our international event today we can talk about these issues."

Putin said he was glad to meet Japarov in a bilateral format.

Earlier on Monday, he held bilateral talks with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.