Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Hails Bakiev's Visit To Uzbekistan

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in Bishkek on September 28 (RFE/RL) October 5, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov today hailed President Kurmanbek Bakiev's first visit to neighboring Uzbekistan.

Addressing reporters in Bishkek, he described as "very sucessful" the outcome of the talks Bakiev had with his Uzbek counterpart, Islam Karimov.


"[The two presidents] exchanged views on a large number of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues," Jekshenkulov said. "There was full mutual understanding and support on a wide range of issues."


Bakiev's two-day (October 3-4) visit to Uzbekistan was the first by a Kyrgyz president in 10 years. The two leaders signed half-a-dozen political, economic, and security agreements.


Kyrgystan's Foreign Ministry says they also discussed joint steps "against terrorism, separatism, and narco-trafficking."


Jekshenkulov today said that, in addition, Uzbekistan agreed to ship an additional 30 to 40 million cubic meters of natural gas to Kyrgyzstan this year at a price of $55 per 1,000 cubic meters.


(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, Kabar)

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