BISHKEK - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey regarded Eurasian region as a cooperation geography where there were important opportunities.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev hosted dinner in the honour of Prime Minister Erdogan the same day.
Addressing the dinner, Erdogan said that the bilateral relations recorded important stages in all fields after Kyrgysztan gained its independence. Erdogan said that they decided with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Tanayev that the trade volume between the two countries which was 40 million dollars had to be increased to 200 million dollars.
Erdogan said he believed that Turkish scientists, businessmen and students in Kyrgyzstan contributed to the country, adding that there were many mutual visits paid between the two countries.
''Turkey which is very interested in Silk Road Diplomacy Doctrine announced by President Mr. Askar Akayev, believes that the strong solidarity and cooperation among regional countries is the key of prosperity and stability in Eurasia. Turkey regards Eurasian region as a cooperation geography where there are important opportunities. I am also pleased to see that the cooperation with regional countries which face serious security problems and particularly with Kyrgyzstan continues in a good way in military and security field. Terrorism can never be shown as right in any way and for any reason. A new understanding has come out in the world about this issue and the need to assume a common approach against it has been understood.''
Prime Minister Erdogan stated that thousands of Kyrgyz students studied in Turkey, and many Turkish education institutions carried out successful activities in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Tanayev said in his part ''Turkey will get its place in European Union with the reforms it has undertaken.'' Noting that Turkey's membership to EU would speed up its relations with Central Asia and Kyrgyzstan, Tanayev said Prime Minister Erdogan contributed significantly to adoption of the reforms in Turkey. He added that they closely monitored the reforms undertaken for the prosperity of the Turkish nation.
(ÖŞ) 21.10.2003