ANKARA, Feb 20 (A.A) - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer welcomed Kyrgyz President Askar Akyev in an official ceremony on Wednesday.
Addressing the ceremony, Sezer said that the progress recorded by Kyrgyzstan in the last ten years following its independence pleased the Turkish nation.
Sezer listed these developments in Kyrgyzstan as strengthening of its sovereignty and independence, transition to free market economy and various successes in democratization.
Recalling that the year 2002 is the tenth anniversary of foundation of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan, Sezer said that the two countries benefitted well from this period of ten years and they formed the legal basis of the bilateral relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. ''We improved the political, economic, cultural and commercial relations and consolidated the ties between us,'' Sezer said.
Sezer added that the visit of Akayev will give the opportunity to review new cooperation areas between the two countries.
Kyrgyz President Akayev said in his part that Turkey immediately recognized Kyrgyzstan after it gained its independence, adding that Turkey always supported Kyrgzstan.
Noting that the bilateral relations are at good level, Akayev said that it will further improve by his visit to Turkey.
''I paid my first visit abroad to Turkey as the president of my country after the country gained its independence. I had told that the two countries would walk together on the way to democracy and market economy, I was not mistaken. Turkey and Kyrgyzstan walk on this path together,'' he said.
Akayev said that his country closely follows the success Turkey gained in international arena, adding that they would discuss with Sezer what the two countries did in the last decade and what could be done in the coming decade.