Azerbaijan, Baku, May 3 / Trend V. Zhavoronkova /
Construction of a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China via Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will facilitate the convergence of Tashkent and Bishkek, an independent Kyrgyz economic expert, doctor of economic sciences, professor Ayilchi Saribayev believes.
Kyrgyz officials speak about possible construction of a new gas pipeline to China via Kyrgyzstan. China now receives gas from Turkmenistan through a pipeline, running through the territory of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. There are no specific agreements on this issue yet, but the expert believes that such project is needed not only economically but also politically.
"Our alleged strained relations with Uzbekistan are a temporary phenomenon," Saribayev told Trend by telephone from Bishkek on Thursday.
He said that over time Kyrgyzstan's relations with Uzbekistan will be no worse than with other neighboring countries.
"It's not necessary to dramatize and seek some sort of political overtone in this matter, on the contrary, we must strive to find ways for further convergence and development of economic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan," Saribayev said.
Therefore, according to the expert, laying a pipeline from Turkmenistan through Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to China, contributes to the improvement and strengthening of brotherly relations between the two countries.
"I am a supporter of open borders with neighboring countries, as the Central Asian countries should live in harmony, and have an open economic space," he said.
In addition, according to the expert, Kyrgyzstan has committed to the multi-vector economic policy with many countries, including Iran, cooperation with which has recently intensified significantly.
"Among our allies are neighboring countries, regardless of religion, such as China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and others, as well as Muslim countries, including Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey," Saribayev said.
He noted that in an era of economic globalization it is a normal phenomenon, which implies the free movement of capital and labor.