Estonia, Kyrgyzstan presidents create closer ties

Estonian Prime Minister Ansip confirmed at the meeting with Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Zhantoro Satybaldiyev in Bishkek on Thursday, Dec 12 that Kyrgyzstan is an important partner for Estonia and the European Union, whose developments are supported.

The development of co-operation, including in economy and information technology, between the two countries was discussed at the meeting between Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Zhantoro Satybaldiyev.

According to Prime Minister Ansip, bilateral relations have recently developed, but there are many unused options in the fields of economy and information technology, for example. Kyrgyzstan is a democratic and parliamentary country, which has good political relations with Estonia and this is also a good basis for economic co-operation,” Ansip said at the meeting.

Prime Minister expressed his gladness that the Estonian e-solutions have also drawn interest in Kyrgyzstan and confirmed willingness to co-operate in this matter. “The development of e-governance has been useful for Estonia – it has made governance more effective, transparent, and accessible to the people,” Ansip said.

While speaking about the security of the area, Prime Minister Ansip said that Central Asia is a strategically important region for Estonia and the European Union. The Prime Minister said that the Estonian Defence Forces will remain in Afghanistan until the middle of 2014, being ready to support the upcoming presidential elections. The civilian mission will be also continued after 2014 and every effort is made to ensure that the countries bordering Afghanistan do not lose in security in the new situation.
Prime Minister Ansip invited his colleague to visit Estonia along with business delegation to further tighten the economic contacts.
Prime Minister also praised his colleague’s decision to enable the European Union’s citizens travel visa-free to Kyrgyzstan. The Prime Minister estimates that this provides more opportunities for people to move and gain experience and develop economic relations.
Ansip also had a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament, Asylbek Jeenbekov.
Interest was expressed in the economy of both countries, ideas were exchanged and co-operation expectations were expressed at the economic round table, which was attended by the business delegation accompanying the Prime Minister and local businesses. Prime Minister Ansip said in his opening speech at the round table that political relations between the two countries are good and now the economic relations should be also made to function well. Prime Minister presented AS Repo Vabrikud as a positive example for whom Kyrgyzstan has become the third country of destination of exports.
It was found at the round table that the volumes of mutual trading have gradually increased, although the volumes are still small and there is room for improvement. Last year, the volume of trade between Estonia and Kyrgyzstan was 16 million euros; this accounted for petroleum oil, wood and wood products, and vehicles. Estonia has imported mainly metal from Kyrgyzstan.
To develop bilateral sustainable economy and preserve mutual interest, it would be necessary to find more ways to increase exports from Kyrgyzstan to Estonia. The round table provided a calling to mutually diversify trade articles.
On Friday, a scheduled meeting with the President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, takes place. It is scheduled to open the first Estonian Honorary Consulate in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. Estonian Honorary Consul of Kyrgyzstan will be Viktor Kryltsov.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by a business delegation. The Prime Minister returns to Estonia on Saturday, 14 December.