Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev said July 14 he looks forward to establishing closer relations between his country and the European Union, Sputnik International news agency reported.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Kyrgyzstan July 13 on an official visit for bilateral cooperation talks, where she will stay until later in the day.
“Increased cooperation of Kyrgyzstan with the European Union is much needed,” Atambayev said after the bilateral meeting with Merkel. “I very much hope that an agreement, at least similar to the one the European Union has signed with Kazakhstan, would be signed with Kyrgyzstan as well.”
Merkel in turn said Germany is ready to fully support Kyrgyzstan on its way to closer cooperation with the European Union.
Earlier in the day, Merkel said the meeting with Atambayev is aimed at discussing the means by which Germany could provide support to Kyrgyzstan in order to ensure its bright future, adding that Germany understands that Kyrgyzstan is facing some difficulties amid following the democratic path of development it had chosen.
Merkel is set to meet with Kyrgyz lawmakers, including parliament's spokesman later in the day.