Turkey Ready To Help Bring Kyrgyz Goods To Europe

Turkish President Abdullah Gul (left) meets with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in Bishkek.

BISHKEK -- Turkey's president of says his country is ready to assist Kyrgyzstan to transport its goods to Europe, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Speaking after talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiev in Bishkek on May 27, Abdullah Gul called for more active cooperation between the Turkic countries and wider trade and economic ties between Bishkek and Istanbul.

Meanwhile, President Bakiev expressed his country's interest in Turkish investment in Kyrgyz power station construction, improving transportation infrastructure, food industry, agriculture, and the tourism industry.

The trade volume between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey was $139.9 million last year, which is 45 percent higher than in 2007.

Gul began his official three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan on May 26. He was scheduled to have talks with Kyrgyz parliament speaker Aitibai Tagaev on May 28.