Erdogan: There Have Been Perfect Relations Between Turkey And Kyrgyzstan

ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, ''there have been perfect relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan based on mutual respect and understanding.''
Prime Minister Erdogan and Prime Minister Nikolay Tanaev of Kyrgyzstan, who is currently in Turkey, on an official visit, held a joint press conference following tete-a-tete and interdelegationary meetings.
Speaking at the press conference, Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that there had been perfect relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan based on mutual respect and understanding.
Erdogan said that there had not been any political problems between the two countries.
''Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have been supporting each other both in regional and international platforms so far. I believe that this cooperation will continue in the future. During today's tete-a-tete and interdelegationary meetings, economic issues were taken up. Economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan are below the real potential of our countries. Current trade volume between our countries is about 40 million U.S. dollars. We are determined to increase this amount,'' he said.
Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters that Kyrgyz businessmen, who have been accompanying Prime Minister Tanaev, had made valuable contributions to efforts to further improve economic and commercial relations between the two countries by holding contacts with Turkish businessmen.
Noting that they had also exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional issues, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''we assessed changing conditions in the world and impacts of these conditions on our region. We are pleased to see that our countries have similar views about international problems. I believe that Prime Minister Tanaev's visit to Turkey will make an important contribution to further improvement of our bilateral relations.''
TANAEV: WE HAVE TO FURTHER IMPROVE ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev said that cultural and political relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan were very good and commercial and economic relations should also be improved.
Tanaev said that they attached importance to their cooperation with Turkey, and the aim of his visit was to emphasize their determination to promote the bilateral relations.
He saw that bilateral relations reached a perfect level during his contacts, Tanaev noted.
Tanaev stated that they noted during their contacts that potential between the two countries should be realized more.
All issues taken up during their contacts were included in the agreements that were signed, Tanaev pointed out.
Tanaev said that issue of international security had an important place during their contacts and they shared similar views with Turkey about coordination of international fight against terrorism, and settlement of peace and stability.
His visit would contribute to strong relations established between the two countries in 11 years, Tanaev noted.
Tanaev drew the attention that the agreement on public works and construction sector was important for it provided cooperation opportunities between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Turkish-Kyrgyz Third Term Joint Economic Cooperation (JEC) Meeting Protocol, Action Plan on Implementation of Long Term Commercial Economic Cooperation Program, and Protocol on Cooperation in Development of Public Works, Construction and Dwelling Sectors were signed at the beginning of the press conference.
State Minister Kursat Tuzmen signed the first two agreement while the third agreement was signed by Public Works and Settlement Minister Zeki Ergezen.
ERDOGAN HOSTS A LUNCHEON IN HONOR OF KYRGYZ PRIME MINISTER TANAEV Prime Minister Erdogan hosted a luncheon in honor of Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev of Kyrgyzstan and accompanying delegation.
Speaking at the luncheon, Prime Minister Erdogan recalled that he paid a visit to Kyrgyzstan in 1997 as the mayor of Istanbul.
''We are leaving behind a period in which important changes have occurred in the world. The world appreciated successful policies of Central Asian Republics, especially Kyrgyzstan, in this difficult period. Kyrgyzstan has become a distinguished member of the international community. The world also appreciated contributions of Kyrgyzstan to regional peace and stability,'' he said.
Prime Minister Erdogan stressed, ''today, relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have reached a perfect level and become institutional. There have been perfect political relations between our countries. Our political relations have positive impact on regional and international platforms.''
''Relations between our countries have been further deepening and consolidating in line with 'Eternal Friendship and Cooperation Agreement' and 'Turkey and Kyrgyzstan: Towards 21st Century Together'. We want to further improve our economic relations with Kyrgyzstan on the basis of mutual benefits. We encourage Turkish industrialists and businessmen to this end,'' he said.
Recalling that President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan signed the Action Plan for long-term Commercial and Economic Cooperation Program during his visit to Turkey in 2001, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the action plan would constitute an important milestone in efforts to further improve bilateral economic relations.
''We should give priority to further improvement of economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in the coming period,'' he said.
Expressing his pleasure with developing relations with Kyrgyzstan in education, culture and science, Erdogan said, ''these relations are the biggest guarantee for our future. One of the most important projects in education is Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University, which will constitute a sound bridge of friendship between the two countries.''
''2003 was declared as the 2200th anniversary of foundation of the first Kyrgyz state with a decision of the United Nations. There are just a few nations having such a rooted state in the world. I want to congratulate 2200th anniversary of foundation of the first Kyrgyz state. Turkey, which has been supporting the Silk Road Diplomacy Doctrine of President Akayev, attributes great importance to stability and security of countries taking place in the Silk Road. Turkey thinks that peace and cooperation in the region are the keys to regional security and prosperity. Therefore, military and security cooperation between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan is of great importance,'' he emphasized.
Describing human rights and democracy as indispensable values, Erdogan said, ''respect to human rights and loyalty to democracy are among the most important factors to settle lasting stability in the world.''
''Sound historical, cultural and social ties between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan are the most important factors giving shape to our relations. We are determined to further deepen and consolidate these ties and relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan,'' he added.
Tanaev said that the accomplishments of Turkish Republic in 80 years proved the whole world how strong and progressive democratic and secular modern state model in Turkey was.
Kyrgyzstan was showing great interest and appreciated Turkey's initiative for EU full membership, Tanaev noted.
Tanaev stated that Turkey should take the place it deserved in Europe thanks to the political and economic reforms it was making in every field of the state and the nation.
In that context, they hoped that Turkey's acceptance as a member to the EU in the possible shortest time would accelerate existing relations of Turkey with Central Asian countries and especially Kyrgyzstan, Tanaev said.
Tanaev pointed out that Turkey extended great support to his country immediately after Kyrgyzstan gained its independence.
They hoped to reach the stage of current political, cultural and educational relations with Turkey also in the field of economy, Tanaev added.

(BRC-UK) 14.05.2003