키르기스스탄-터키 ‘포괄적 전략 동반자’ 격상…에르도안, 키르기스 국민훈장 수상

*아시아엔 해외필진 기고문의 한글번역본과 원문을 함께 게재합니다.

[아시아엔=쿠반 압디멘 키르기스스탄 ‘센트럴아시안라이트’ 발행인] 레제프 타이이프 에르도안 터키 대통령이 2024년 11월 4일 키르기스스탄을 국빈 방문했다. 사디르 자파로프 키르기스스탄 대통령과 레제프 타이이프 에르도안 터키 대통령은 이틀 간 양국의 관계를 전략적 동반자를 포괄적 전략 동반자로 격상시키는 공동선언 등 제 분야에 걸쳐 협정을 체결했다.

키르기스스탄과 터키는 광범위한 국제 정세에서 비슷한 입장을 견지하고 있다. 양국은 경제, 사회, 문화, 인도주의 분야는 물론 역내 안보, 대테러 전략, 종교적 극단주의 대응 등에서도 협력을 강화할 전망이다.

사디르 자파로프 키르기스스탄 대통령은 회담 후 연설에서 “전 국민에게 고품질 의약품을 제공할 수 있도록 국영기업을 설립할 것”이라며 “터키는 세계적으로도 우수한 의약품 제조 기술을 갖고 있다. 키르기스스탄을 비롯한 중앙아시아 국가들의 수요를 충족시킬 수 있도록 터키 측에 키르기스스탄 내 의약품 공장을 건설해달라고 제안했다”고 밝혔다.

양국은 또한 제6차 고위급 전략회담을 개최, 협력 관계를 강화했다. 양국은 문화 부문에선 영화 및 TV시리즈를 공동제작하기로 했고, 교육 부문에선 키르기스스탄 전역의 학교에서 터키 마리프재단의 네트워크를 확장하기로 합의했다.

양국의 신뢰관계가 갈수록 깊어지고 있다는 방증 중 하나가 부채 탕감이다. 터키는 2012~2015년 사이 발생한 키르기스스탄의 1억 달러 규모 부채 중 5,900만 달러를 녹색경제성장전략의 일환으로 탕감해주기로 한 것이다.

키르기스스탄과 터키의 정상회담 기간 중에는 양국 우호를 상징하는 기념비적인 이벤트도 있었다. 키르기스스탄 자파로프 대통령이 에르도안 터키 대통령에게 최고 영예인 마나스 1급 훈장을 수여한 것이다. 이와 관련해 자파로프 키르기스스탄 대통령은 “에르도안 대통령이 양국의 우호관계와 파트너십을 크게 강화한 공로를 인정한다”며 “그의 지속적인 노력에 대해 깊은 감사를 표한다”고 설명했다.

Erdogan’s visit to Bishkek brings Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye closer together
By Kuban Andymen

Following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to Kyrgyzstan on November 4-5, 2024, nearly two dozen agreements were signed, including a Joint Declaration to elevate the strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“The relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Türkiye, based on mutual respect and trust, are being raised to a new level of comprehensive strategic partnership,” emphasized Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov during an extended meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The relations between the two countries have always been founded on friendship and mutual respect. High-level talks underscored both parties’ desire to strengthen and develop ties to benefit both nations.

Bishkek and Ankara share similar or close positions on a wide range of international issues. Therefore, alongside plans to strengthen economic cooperation and expand social and cultural-humanitarian projects, they focused significantly on regional security, counter-terrorism, and combating religious extremism.

In his speech, President Japarov noted that Kyrgyzstan had established a state enterprise, “Kyrgyzpharmacia,” with the primary goal of providing the population with high-quality medicines.

“We know that Türkiye is a global leader in producing high-quality medicines and medical products. For this reason, I propose building a Turkish pharmaceutical plant in Kyrgyzstan to meet the needs of both Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries and Russia,” suggested President Japarov to the Turkish side.

Under the leadership of the heads of both countries, the Sixth Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye took place.

According to one of the signed agreements, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye will collaborate in producing films and TV series, as announced by Altynbek Maksutov, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy. “This means we will be working with Türkiye to create films, videos, and series. We recently visited Italy, where we signed a similar agreement,” he stated.

A notable moment during the official meetings was the awarding of Türkiye’s President Erdoğan with the “Manas” First-Class Order, Kyrgyzstan’s highest national honor.

According to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who presented the award, it recognizes Erdoğan’s significant contributions to advancing the strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye, as well as strengthening the friendship between their nations.

He added that it was an honor to bestow this award, symbolizing the Kyrgyz people’s profound gratitude for Erdoğan’s visionary leadership, personal efforts, and tireless work to enhance bilateral cooperation.

An indicator of the growing trust between the two countries was Türkiye’s decision to cancel Kyrgyzstan’s $59 million debt, initially taken between 2012-2015 in the amount of $100 million, in exchange for green economy projects.

Following the talks, Japarov made an official statement: “We are pleased to announce that we have made the important decision to elevate our level of strategic partnership with Türkiye to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.’”

Türkiye has long been one of Kyrgyzstan’s key trade and investment partners. Both parties reiterated their commitment to provide political support and protect investments in sectors of mutual interest. Kyrgyzstan is firmly committed to further improving conditions for both foreign and domestic investors.

On education, an agreement was reached to expand the network of Maarif Foundation schools across all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Additionally, an agreement was signed to resume arrangements allowing citizens of Kyrgyzstan to receive free medical treatment in Türkiye.

This visit from Kyrgyzstan’s president had been anticipated since last year but only occurred this year for various reasons.

Previously, President Erdoğan visited Kyrgyzstan six years ago, in 2018, where he attended the opening ceremony of the Third World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata, an event joined by leaders from member countries of the Organization of Turkic States.

This visit by Erdoğan opens new opportunities for both countries to develop comprehensive trade, financial, cultural-humanitarian, and political-economic relations.