Despite global economic crisis, Kyrgyzstan able to become regional leader - Atambayev
BISHKEK. Oct 11 (Interfax) - Kyrgyzstan is gaining momentum in its development in the period of the global economic crisis and the country is able to become a regional leader, Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev said.
"I often browse the Internet and I recently read an article by a citizen of a neighboring state about how Kyrgyzstan is a failure as a country. Allegedly, we have no oil and gas, poverty and destitution persist in the country. But now, when a crisis occurred, everybody is crying, they cannot afford a raise in salaries and pensions, and Kyrgyzstan, on the contrary, is gaining momentum and holding such cultural and sports events, which are envied by the whole world," Atambayev said at the ceremony of awarding political and community leaders state the awards on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the republic on Tuesday.
A total of 252 citizens of Kyrgyzstan received awards of various classes for the development of historical, cultural, social and economic and intellectual heritage of the Kyrgyz people.
"Owing to people like you, our country is increasingly confident in gaining momentum every year, every month. I would like to thank you for your work, your dedication, thank you," the president said addressing the audience.
"Our biggest value is Kyrgyzstan itself and our people. Albeit we have no oil, but as long as we have such a nation, as long as we have such people, we will be the first ones at least in the region," he said.
"In the past, when I had said that, certain presidents were laughing and now they start wondering. And some of them say that I was probably right. There is a striking example of Japan, which has neither oil and gas, nor even water. But the most important thing is the national spirit, and we have it in abundance," he said.
"I am confident that we will resist any challenges and any crises. I would like to wish [you] peace, prosperity and stability. Because until that is achieved, no one will ever succeed in it. There are people, who want to stagger, shatter our country. But we value our homeland, because we can be happy only in our country," Atambayev said.