Talks with Canada's Centerra on Kumtor gold mine should heed Kyrgyz national interests - president
BISHKEK. June 11 (Interfax) - Kyrgyzstan should advocate its national interests during negotiations with Canadian company Centerra Gold Inc. on the further development and management of the country's largest gold mine Kumtor, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev said.
Atambayev held a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Dzhoomart Otorbayev, the presidential press service told Interfax on Tuesday.
"Otorbayev informed the president about the course of negotiations with the Canadian company Centerra regarding the further development and management of the Kumtor gold mine. Atambayev stressed that during the talks with Centerra, the country's government should be guided by the national interests of Kyrgyzstan," the press service said.
"The meeting also addressed the measures being taken by the government to maintain economic growth in the country and the boosting of the wellbeing of the Kyrgyz people. Great attention was paid to the implementation of Kyrgyzstan's sustainable development strategy for 2013-2017," it said.
The president reiterated the importance of implementing national projects, which are a key element of this strategy.
"The president noted the need to timely resolve issues surrounding the development of deposits in order to prevent any speculation on this subject," the press service.
The nationalization of the Kumtor gold mine was among the demands voiced during recent rallies staged in northern and southern Kyrgyzstan.
