New Kyrgyz president believes in cooperation with China, set to bolster relations with Turkey
BISHKEK. Jan 28 (Interfax) - Kyrgyzstan will be conducting a multi-vector foreign policy, which will focus on the development of relations with Turkey and Central Asian countries; in addition, Kyrgyzstan counts on further mutually advantageous cooperation with China, Sadyr Japarov said as he was being sworn in as the president of Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.
"We will pursue a multi-vector approach in our foreign policy. Kyrgyzstan will seek to cooperate with America, as well as countries in Europe and Asia," Japarov said at his inauguration ceremony in Bishkek on Thursday.
"Stronger cooperation and enhanced economic and cultural relations with strategic partners are a priority of our foreign policy. This applies to Central Asian countries, and Turkey deserves a special mention," he said.
"We believe that China, our neighbor and partner whose role in global politics and economy, as well as in Central Asia, is growing day after day [...] will carry on its mutually advantageous economic relations with Kyrgyzstan," Japarov said.
Kyrgyzstan will honor its obligations to international organizations, he said.
"We will be fulfilling our international obligations within the framework of the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Turkic Council, and other international organizations," he said.
Japarov came to power in Kyrgyzstan after last year's October protests against official results of the parliamentary elections and the subsequent public unrest in the country. The authorities announced an early presidential election, which was held later on January 10 this year. To run for presidency, Japarov resigned as the acting head of state and suspended his performance of duties as prime minister. On January 20, Kyrgyzstan's Central Elections Commission published the results of the presidential election, which Japarov won with 79.2%.
