UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY ERDOGAN DURING OTHER EVENTS IN BISHKEK
By Gizem Nisa Cebi and Mehmet Tosun
ISTANBUL / BISHKEK (AA) – Highlighting the countries’ "eternal brotherhood," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov on Tuesday signed 19 agreements on security, health, and culture to strengthen their nations’ bilateral strategic partnership.
"This solidarity will continue to grow in the coming period," Erdogan told a joint press conference held at the Kyrgyzstan Presidential Palace in Bishkek.
Expressing gratitude for receiving Kyrgyzstan’s prestigious Manas Order, Erdogan called it an "unshakable symbol of the eternal brotherhood" between the two nations, thanking Japarov and the Kyrgyz people for their warm hospitality.
Erdogan on Monday was welcomed by Japarov with an official ceremony upon his arrival in Kyrgyzstan to attend an Organization of Turkic States heads of state summit.
Erdogan also gave one of Türkiye’s signature domestic electric vehicles, the Togg, to Japarov.
Following the meetings and the signing ceremony of agreements, Erdogan presented Japarov with a Togg in "Pamukkale White," named after the famed petrified waterfalls and terraced basins in Pamukkale in Türkiye’s Aegean region.
- Investment and cooperation
Following the signing of bilateral agreements, the leaders addressed key regional and bilateral issues.
Erdogan also highlighted the importance of Turkish-Kyrgyz relations, citing Kyrgyzstan’s upcoming chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States and expressing confidence that the nation will promote unity among Turkic states.
He praised the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan, noting that their relations have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership and thanking Japarov for supporting Türkiye’s efforts to combat the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), an outlawed group whose 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye was resoundingly defeated.
Erdogan added that Türkiye is among Kyrgyzstan's top five foreign investors and has helped complete over 90 infrastructure projects valued at nearly $1 billion in the country.
In a separate event, Erdogan opened the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Bishkek Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship State Hospital, built by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
"We are honored to present Kyrgyzstan with a 150-bed hospital like this; it brings nothing but pride," he said.
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu underscored the hospital’s impact, noting that it has already served thousands of patients and performed numerous surgeries, adding that Türkiye has pledged $35 million to enhance healthcare in Kyrgyzstan over the next five years.
He also stressed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Kyrgyz welfare: "We will steadfastly continue our efforts to enhance the welfare of our Kyrgyz brothers and sisters."
Erdogan also stressed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Kyrgyz youth through education and inaugurated a range of new facilities and projects alongside Kyrgyz leaders.
"As Türkiye, we continue our efforts in the field of education to support Kyrgyz youth in building a brighter future," Erdogan said at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, where he highlighted the longstanding bond between the two nations.
Following a speech to students and staff, Erdogan inaugurated 110 new facilities at the university in a live broadcast ceremony, attended by key officials, including Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Erdogan encouraged students to hold on tightly to their heritage and values, urging: "Do not give any ground to those who wish to rent your mind, seize your identity, or make you captive to their ideology."
Erdogan’s visit underscored Türkiye’s investment in education and healthcare as pillars of the Türkiye-Kyrgyzstan partnership, with hopes for "even greater achievements" in the future.
- Comprehensive partnership with 19 new agreements
The two leaders signed 19 agreements in such sectors such as security, energy, education, health, and culture during the ceremony in Bishkek.
Among the key accords, the Joint Declaration on Elevating the Strategic Partnership Relations marked a commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
A Security Cooperation Agreement was also signed to strengthen defense ties, while a Cooperation Agreement on Animal Health and Trade aims to improve veterinary and agricultural collaboration.
Further agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Migration, a Debt Relief Agreement, and a Memorandum on Economic and Financial Cooperation to bolster economic ties.
In the defense sector, a cooperation agreement was established, along with an energy cooperation pact focused on efficiency and conservation.
Cultural collaboration was highlighted through a Joint Production Agreement on Audiovisual Services, and healthcare initiatives were reinforced with a Protocol on Organ Transplant Cooperation and the new Recep Tayyip Erdogan Bishkek Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship State Hospital.
Additionally, agreements on product safety, human resources cooperation, and a digital development cooperation protocol were signed to enhance regulatory and technological collaboration.
The financial sector will benefit from a memorandum of understanding between Türkiye’s Presidential Finance Office and the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan.
Finally, a Protocol on Training in Kinology Activities and a bilateral cooperation pact were signed, along with a Framework Agreement for Hydroelectric Power Plant Construction and Operation to foster energy development.