Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

Kyrgyzstan seeks closer ties with the European Union, the country’s President Almazbek Atambayev stated in follow-up of the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ria Novosti reported. This is the first ever official visit of the German Chancellor to Kyrgyzstan.

Addressing the meeting, the Chancellor said that Germany is ready to provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan in the development of small and medium-scale business and tourism, KirTag reported.

“Kyrgyzistan has economic problems. Germany is ready to render its assistance. We have certain projects in the sphere of education and health services. We will also implement projects in the sphere of business,” she said.

She also mentioned that Germany will also render its assistance in the process of closer cooperation between Kyrgyzistan and the EU.

President Atambayev in his turn said that Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the visit of the Chancellor. He expressed his confidence that the visit will bring the bilateral relations to a new stage.

“We should strengthen and extend cooperation between Germany and Kyrgyzstan in all spheres,” he said.

Touching upon the closer cooperation with the EU, the president mentioned the recent agreement which was signed between the EU and Kazakhstan. The president expressed his hope that the similar agreement will be signed with Kyrgyzstan.

European Union and Kazakhstan have recently signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The agreement is expected to give a significant boost to economic and political ties between the EU and Kazakhstan.

The visit of German Chancellor takes place in the year of the 25th anniversary of independence of Kyrgyzstan.

In March, Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian states, in a trip that the German Foreign Ministry said focused on the fight against terrorism, regional cooperation, and economic ties.

During the official visit, Merkel will meet with representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s legislative body led by the parliament speaker Chynybay Tursunbekov, as well as with NGO representatives and society.

In 2015, Kyrgyz imports from Germany amounted to nearly €51.1 million, while exports to Germany amounted to a €12.8 million. Germany’s principal exports to Kyrgyzstan are motor vehicles, machinery and chemical products (pharmaceuticals and cosmetics). Kyrgyzstan’s main exports to Germany are agricultural products.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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