Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The prospects of Kyrgyz-Turkish ties were high on the agenda of the meeting of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kyrgyz counterpart Djoomart Otorbayev in Ankara.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister, who is on an official visit to Turkey, expressed condolences to Erdogan, regarding the recent mine accident in Turkey.

On May 13, Turkey suffered a deadly mine accident, as a result of which over 280 people died. Following the accident, the country announced a three day mourning period for the victims of the disaster.

Erdogan and Otorbayev further discussed the current state of Kyrgyz-Turkish relations and the perspectives for their further development, in particular in cultural-humanitarian, socio-economic and military-technical fields.

Otorbayev noted the importance of maintaining the steady dialogue at the highest level between the leadership of both countries.

It was proposed to intensify efforts to develop and implement major joint projects in hydropower, transport and communications, and tourism spheres.

The trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey amounted $228 million in 2012. However, Erdogan's target is to raise Turkish-Kyrgyz trade turnover to $1 billion by 2017.

The main sectors for Turkish investment in Kyrgyzstan's economy are processing industry, construction, trade, agriculture, production of rubber and plastic items, machinery and equipment production and financial operations.

Turkish foreign direct investment in the Kyrgyz economy exceeded $20 million in 2012. More than 300 joint Kyrgyz-Turkish ventures operate in Kyrgyzstan and since 1995. Turkey has invested $300 million foreign direct investment in Kyrgyz economy so far.