ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday stressed the importance of the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) by Turkey and Kyrgyzstan.

"Recent events have once again revealed the bloody, dark, and ugly face of FETO. I hope we will overcome this threat together by standing shoulder to shoulder," Erdogan said at a joint news conference with his counterpart from Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.

During the meeting, the two discussed regional cooperation and the fight against terror groups, including FETO, Erdogan said.

“We agree that FETO poses a national security threat to both countries,” he added.

He vowed to boost bilateral trade between Ankara and Bishkek “to reach a target of $1 billion trade volume.”

Erdogan also outlined a plan to increase flights between the two nations.

Bilateral relations

For his part, Japarov noted that Turkey is the first country that recognized the independence of Kyrgyzstan and developed friendly ties.

He also expressed gratitude to Turkey "for the invaluable moral, technical and social assistance it has given for the development of Kyrgyzstan’s economy."

He said they discussed the future of bilateral relations and also exchanged views on international issues.

"We have been able to create cooperation mechanisms in many areas," he added.

"We discussed very important issues related to the arrival of Turkish investors in Kyrgyzstan,” he said, underlining that "all rights of Turkish investors" currently working in his country "will be protected."

"We also discussed the opening of the Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship Hospital in a very short period of time."

Pleased with Turkey’s economic success

Japarov stressed that a large number of Kyrgyz students are studying in Turkey, and he believes that this number will increase even more thanks to close relations between the two countries.

He said Kyrgyzstan welcomes the increasing importance of Turkey in the international arena and it is pleased with Turkey’s economic success, noting that Turkey also closely follows the events in Kyrgyzstan.

Earlier, Erdogan welcomed Japarov with an official ceremony at the presidential complex. The two participated in the 5th meeting of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey Strategic Cooperation High Council.

Among attendees at the meeting were Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's Treasury and Finance Minister Lutfi Elvan, Culture, and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Trade Minister Mehmet Mus, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun and Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.

Japarov, who is on a three-day visit to Turkey, is accompanied by a high-profile delegation of his country’s ministers.

After the meetings, the two sides held a signing ceremony.

Kyrgyzstan’s president will also meet Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop during his visit, according to Dastan Dusekeyev, foreign policy chief for the Kyrgyzstan Presidency.

Japarov will also address business leaders at the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Business Forum and meet Kyrgyzstan nationals, students, and representatives of NGOs operating in Ankara.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz and Merve Berker