Kyrgyz, Turkish defence ministers discuss expanding military ties

Kyrgyzstan and Turkey discussed the current state and future development of their military cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek between Kyrgyz Defence Minister Ruslan Mukambetov and Turkish National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of events of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Kyrgyz news outlet 24.kg reported.

The two sides reviewed prospects for expanding bilateral defence ties, with particular attention to the exchange of experience, military training and education, closer cooperation between the two countries' defence institutions, and the organisation of joint activities.

Mukambetov highlighted what he described as the high level of relations between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, saying military cooperation was among the priority areas of bilateral engagement.

Guler, for his part, said Turkey was prepared to continue its partnership with Kyrgyzstan in the military and military-technical fields.

By Tamilla Hasanova