Πηγή: Todays Zaman
By Hasan Kanbolat
01 September 2011, Thursday
Aug. 31, 2011 is the 20th anniversary of the independence of Kyrgyzstan. To celebrate this occasion, meetings and events are being held in the country to discuss the past and the future. On Sept. 25, Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker Ahmadbek Keldibekov, along with a delegation of Kyrgyz deputies, will make an official visit to Ankara.
A protocol is expected to be signed envisaging cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. Keldibekov will also reportedly brief the Turkish authorities on the upcoming presidential election, scheduled to take place on Oct. 30.
Despite the fact that the two countries are separated by a five-hour flight, Turkey and Kyrgyzstan share many ethnic, linguistic, historical and cultural ties. Turkey was the first country to recognize Kyrgyz independence and has been supportive of Kyrgyzstan during some tough times. Representatives from Kyrgyzstan made their first official visit to Turkey on Dec. 23, 1991, where a number of agreements were signed. Diplomatic ties have been maintained between the two countries from Jan. 29, 1992 and embassies were set up in both capitals. Kyrgyzstan has a consulate in İstanbul. More than 50 official visits have been held between the two countries since 1992 and nearly 150 bilateral agreements have been signed.
The basics and fundamentals of the bilateral relations of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey include steps such as: contributing to the restructuring of both states; the preservation of stability in Central Asian republics, including Kyrgyzstan; encouraging regional cooperation; backing economic and political reforms; the integration of regional countries within European and Atlantic institutions; the improvement of bilateral ties between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in all fields in a way to recognize the sovereignty and independence of both parties; and supporting mutual relations with a reliance on strategies and plans.
Soon after violent incidents in Osh in June 2010, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu visited Kyrgyzstan on July 3 and pledged a $10 million grant and project support in the amount of $11 million. On Feb. 5, 2011, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made an official visit to Bishkek. During Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev's visit to Ankara in April 2011, the parties set up a high-level strategic cooperation council to identify the strategies for bilateral relations. To this end, relevant commissions subordinate to the ministries will be set up under the supervision of both prime ministers, joint strategic planning groups will be set up and the role of the secretariat will be held by the foreign ministers of both countries. The two countries will also maintain security cooperation within this strategic cooperation council.
This will support Kyrgyzstan in its ongoing struggle against international terrorism and the preservation of its borders. Under the envisaged agreement, there will be consultation and dialogue between Turkish and Kyrgyz security forces and this will play a key role for the stability of the country. Another important step within the bilateral ties between the two countries is Turkey's role as mediator in settling Kyrgyzstan's border issues. In addition, the duration of visa-free stays was raised from 30 to 90 days and the parties agreed to increase the volume of bilateral trade from $150 million to $1 billion.
In conclusion, Turkey and Kyrgyzstan are working on a model towards the integration of both countries and both peoples. I wish the 20th anniversary of the beautiful country of Cengiz Aytmatov, Kyrgyzstan, brings them luck and prosperity.
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