Russian, Kyrgyz prime ministers discuss bilateral ties

MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and his Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasymaliyev spoke over the phone on Monday after meeting on the sidelines of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council's session in Almaty on January 31.

Mishustin and Kasymaliyev "discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda as a follow-up to the agreements on enhancing Russian-Kyrgyz trade and economic cooperation reached at the meeting of the [Eurasian Economic Union] EAEU prime minister on January 31," the Russian government said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

The parties "reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening practical cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in all areas of mutual interest," it said.

Mishustin demanded at the meeting with Kasymaliyev in Almaty that Kyrgyz authorities stop pressure and unfounded claims against Russian companies.

Mishustin said then he was speaking about "unfounded claims and illegal statements by senior representatives of the Kyrgyz authorities in regard to bona fide, diligent Russian companies that develop the Kyrgyz economy, create jobs and are listed among major taxpayers."

"Facts of illegal or even extortive actions are described in a diplomatic note of the Russian Foreign Ministry," he said at the meeting.

"We ask the Kyrgyz administration to stop administrative pressure on our economies and ensure protection of rights and lawful interests of Russian investors," he said.

Kasymaliyev promised he would look into this situation.

"We have discussed the protection of Russian companies' rights with you before. As agreed, I will return [to Bishkek], try to discuss this domestically, and convey the information to you," he told Mishustin.