Kyrgyzstan to 'step up' co-operation with US, UK, says Jeenbekov

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan has plans to step up co-operation with the United States and United Kingdom, 24.kg reported Thursday (March 14), citing Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

Jeenbekov made his remarks during a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of Kyrgyzstan.

"We will step up work on development of bilateral co-operation with the United States and the United Kingdom," he said.

"The draft of a new co-operation agreement with the United States is currently being reconciled," Jeenbekov said. "It's necessary to consider mutual interests while discussing the agreement. The recent remission of $4.6 million [321.2 million KGS] in illegally exported assets was a good start. That work should be continued."

Jeenbekov announced coming official visits to Germany, Switzerland, France, Hungary and Azerbaijan to strengthen co-operation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Kyrgyzstan has plans to open diplomatic missions in France and Italy as a growing number of Kyrgyz live in those countries, he said.