'Turkey, Kyrgyzstan to boost ties, anti-terror efforts'

ANKARA

Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to strengthen relations in multiple domains and increase cooperation against terrorism, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The two countries will boost collaboration in different sectors, including foreign policy, security and defense, and economy, the ministry said in a statement on the visit of Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev.

As part of their drive to increase bilateral trade, Kyrgyzstan has assured Turkey of taking all necessary steps to ensure legal and physical protection for Turkish investments in the country, the statement said.

Ankara and Bishkek also agreed to improve coordination in regional and international organizations, primarily the Turkic Council, the ministry said.

The two countries reached a consensus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in military training, defense, and security by introducing the required legal framework, it added.

Turkey and Kyrgyzstan agreed on the need to jointly combat any form of terrorism, extremism, and threats to their national security interests, read the statement.

In view of the comprehensive details presented by Turkey regarding the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the two countries agreed on the need to enhance anti-terrorism cooperation and focus on achieving concrete results through mutual legal assistance and efforts against terror financing, it added.

Kazakbaev thanked Turkey for helping Kyrgyzstan in its fight against COVID-19 and invited Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on an official visit, the ministry said.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk