Kyrgyz, Emirati leaders discuss bilateral relations, cooperation

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov discussed the development of bilateral relations and cooperation with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates during an official visit to the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Monday.

“The heads of state discussed the prospects for developing cooperation between the countries, issues of enhancing cooperation in trade, economic, educational, humanitarian, investment and other areas of mutual interest,” the Kyrgyz presidency said in a statement on its official website.

Japarov stressed that relations between Kyrgyzstan and the UAE are based on “mutual trust and friendship,” and that their people are united “historically and spiritually,” according to the statement.

He further said that the UAE is the main trading partner of Kyrgyzstan in the Middle East and the Gulf region and that the two countries do not have “any contradictions on the international arena.”

Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Japarov and expressed confidence that his visit would be “fruitful and successful.”

A number of bilateral documents were signed during the meeting between the two leaders, focusing on matters such as visa-free travel for officials, trade and investment, economic cooperation, and environmental protection.

Prior to the visit, Japarov participated on Thursday in the first high-level EU-Central Asia meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana.