Russia Lauds Kyrgyz Election

Foreign Minister Lavrov (file photo) 11 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Kyrgyzstan's presidential election, won by acting president Kurmanbek Bakiev, should help bring stability to that country and to the Central Asian region
Lavrov said today that Moscow welcomes the results of the 10 July election, and the fact that it passed without incident or serious violations.

Bakiev is a former prime minister and the leader of a popular uprising in March that caused President Askar Akaev to flee Kyrgyzstan.

Relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan's new authorities have recently shown signs of improving, after a period of uncertainty.

(AFP)

For RFE/RL's full coverage of Kyrgyzstan's presidential election, see "Kyrgyzstan Votes 2005"