British foreign secretary to meet with Kyrgyz, Tajik presidents during Central Asian tour

BISHKEK/DUSHANBE. April 22 (Interfax) - British Foreign Secretary David Cameron will pay an official visit to Bishkek on April 22-23, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry's press service said on Monday.

"At the invitation of Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev, British Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron will pay an official visit to the republic on April 22-23," the press service said.

Cameron and Kulubayev will hold talks on the prospects of Kyrgyz-British cooperation, it said.

"Lord Cameron is also due to meet with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov," the press service said.

In turn, the Tajik Foreign Ministry said Cameron began a working visit to Tajikistan on Monday.

"During the visit, he is due to be received by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and meet with the foreign minister [Sirojiddin Muhriddin]. The sides will discuss the status and prospects of bilateral cooperation and regional affairs," the ministry said.

Tajik First Deputy Foreign Minister Ismatullo Nasredin and other officials welcomed Cameron at the airport.

Tajikistan is a leg of Cameron's Central Asian tour.

The Countries at Crossroads: UK Engagement in Central Asia report, published by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament in November 2023, noted the need for deepening relations with Central Asia.