UPDATE - Ties between Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan advancing significantly, Turkish foreign minister says

UPDATES WITH TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN'S MEETINGS WITH KYRGYZ PRESIDENT SADYR ZHAPAROV, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER NURLANBEK SHAKIEV; REVISES DECK

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Relations between Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan are progressing significantly, fitting the "unshakeable" bond between the two countries, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Kyrgyz counterpart Jeenbek Kulubaev in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, Fidan stressed the strategic importance of steps taken towards institutionalizing bilateral relations.

The sides signed the 2024-2026 work program as a result of the efforts and decisions made during the sixth Joint Strategic Planning Group Meeting, he added.

Fidan stressed that they discussed ongoing projects between the two countries, the progress of agreements, economic ties, and ways to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of trade.

"We focused on efforts related to the closure of the FETO terror group-owned schools," he said, referring to the Fetullah Terrorist Group, whose 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye was defeated. The terror group uses private schools in numerous countries as a source of revenue.

The two also discussed growing collaboration in the field of health, said Fidan, adding that efforts are ongoing to share Türkiye's healthcare capabilities with Kyrgyzstan.

- Türkiye welcomes Kyrgyzstan's border agreement with Uzbekistan

Fidan said they also exchanged views on what can be done to make the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) more effective and functional.

"We expressed our satisfaction with Kyrgyzstan's border agreement with Uzbekistan last year," Fidan said.

"Hopefully, this year we will receive similar positive news with Tajikistan."

In December, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed on the demarcation of 47 kilometers (29.2 miles) of their border.

Tensions have been present between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, primarily stemming from a border dispute, as well as matters related to irrigation, smuggling, and illegal border crossings.

This dispute has led to clashes between the two countries, the latest in September 2022 over a disputed section of their border in the Batken region.

While 503 km (313 mim) of the 970-km (603-mi) border are well defined, the Kyrgyz and Tajik governments have not yet resolved their border dispute.

Fidan stressed how important it is for Türkiye that there are not disputes among countries in Central Asia.

- Work of Contact Group for Gaza

They also exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war, Fidan said.

He discussed Türkiye's position as the country with the longest coastline on the Black Sea, its relations with Ukraine and Russia, and how it can revive the Black Sea grain deal, Fidan added.

Fidan and Kulubaev discussed Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza and Fidan also spoke with his counterpart on efforts of the Contact Group formed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League.

During the meeting, they also shared their views on the collective risks posed to global security by the massacre in Gaza and the way the world public, especially the West, remains silent or indirectly or directly approves of the massacre, at least at the state level, Fidan said.

"In this regard, whoever we talk to, we already share similar views."

"The irony and tragic aspect of the situation are that everyone shares the same opinion, yet there is an event that cannot be stopped and this is highly thought-provoking."

Different steps need to be taken on the war in Gaza, he said.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring nearly 59,000 others, according to local health authorities.

Israel says 1,200 people were killed in the initial Hamas incursion and that Palestinian groups still hold more than 100 hostages.

The onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave's infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Fidan also met with Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Zhaparov and Parliament Speaker Nurlanbek Shakiev, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on X.