Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that they decided to set up High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. Holding a joint press conference with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev in Bishkek on Wednesday, Erdogan said that the first meeting of the council would take place in Turkey in March.
Noting that it would be beneficial to establish an Investment Agency in Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan said that the two countries could take mutual steps as well as steps in third countries through Investment Agency. He added that Turkey could share its experiences with Kyrgyz officials.
Erdogan said that investments and support made by Turkey in Kyrgyzstan had reached 450 million USD so far, adding that the support which Turkey extended only regarding Manas University had reached 150 million USD so far.
Turkey donated 10 million USD to Kyrgyzstan in 2010, said Erdogan, adding that International Cooperation & Development Agency of Turkey (TIKA) would make an investment of 15 million USD for hospitals and schools especially in southern regions of Kyrgyzstan in 2011.
Noting that a tripartite cooperation could also be made between Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Russia to make investments in Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan said that today Turkey and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement to lift 90-day visas. He added that the agreement included a sentence to lift visa procedures completely between the two countries by the end of the year. Visa will be lifted between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan by the end of 2011, said Erdogan.