What Did Kyrgyz Prez and Russian FM Discuss?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kyrgyzstan prioritizes its partnership with Russia.
- Russia is the largest investor in the Central Asian economy.
- Strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation was a key agenda item.
- Addressing the Ukraine conflict was also discussed.
- A special partnership is developing between Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
Bishkek, June 30 (NationPress) Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov held discussions with the visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the picturesque resort town of Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan to explore avenues for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as reported by the president's press service.
During their meeting on Sunday, Japarov stressed that Kyrgyzstan prioritizes the enhancement of its partnership with Russia, characterizing their relationship as one of vital alliance and strategic collaboration, according to the Xinhua news agency.
The president indicated that Russia holds a critical position as Kyrgyzstan's primary trade and economic ally, highlighting that Russia's direct investments in Kyrgyzstan are on the rise, solidifying its status as the leading investor in the Central Asian region.
In response, Lavrov expressed Russia's commitment to broadening cooperation across essential sectors.
This meeting followed Lavrov's earlier engagement with Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev.
Afterward, Lavrov remarked that resolving the conflict in Ukraine necessitates stopping the legislative extermination of Russians residing there.
He also pointed out that Moscow believes in addressing the underlying causes of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to effectively resolve all related issues.
"Primarily, as emphasized repeatedly by Russian President Vladimir Putin, this includes the removal of security threats to Russia that have arisen from NATO's eastward expansion and the attempts to involve Kyiv in the North Atlantic Alliance, which could lead to military infrastructure in Ukraine aimed against the Russian Federation," he stated.
Meanwhile, Kulubayev, following his discussion with Lavrov, noted that a "special partnership" has been established between Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
"Russia is among the few nations with which the Kyrgyz Republic has fostered a special level of partnership and allied relationships," stated the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister.