CORRECTS - ‘Kyrgyzstan’s political, social peace has always been Turkey's priority'

HEADLINE AND FIRST PARAGRAPH CORECCTED

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Kyrgyzstan’s political and social peace has always been Ankara’s priority, the Turkish parliament's deputy speaker said on Wednesday.

Sureyya Sadi Bilgic was speaking at a photography exhibition organized in the Turkish parliament on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence.

Bilgic said that there are strong ties between the peoples of the two countries based on shared religion, language, history, culture and civilization.

"Kyrgyzstan's political and social peace has always been Turkey's priority. Today, we are pleased to see that brotherly Kyrgyzstan is a respected and self-sustaining member of the international community," Bilgic said.

"In the 30 years since the declaration of independence of Kyrgyzstan, we are happy to see that our cooperation has gradually deepened and institutionalized in areas such as politics, economy, trade, industry, health, agriculture, culture, youth and sports," he added.

Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of Kyrgyzstan on Dec. 16, 1991.

Diplomatic relations between two countries were established on Jan. 29, 1992. The Embassies were reciprocally opened in Bishkek and Ankara in the same year.

The “Agreement on Eternal Friendship and Cooperation” was signed by the Turkey's eighth President Turgut Ozal and first Kyrgyzstan’s President Askar Akayev in 1997.

Also, two countries signed a joint statement on "Establishment of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council" in 2012.

Turkey ranks first among the countries that provide most developmental and social aid to Kyrgyzstan, especially through the state-run Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.

According to data from the Kyrgyzstan National Statistical Committee, Turkey ranks fourth among the countries that make most of investments in Kyrgyzstan following Russia, China and Kazakhstan.

Nearly 300 Turkish companies currently operating in the country as two brotherly nations have a trade volume of more than $500 million.