The Speech of H.E. Mr. Kubanychbek OMURALIEV,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic

to the Republic of Turkey at an official reception on the occasion

of the Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic.

 

 

Your Excellency Mr. Mehmet M. KASAPOĞLU

Your Excellencies!

Dear compatriots!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

 

Welcome and Good evening!

 

The Independence of the Kyrgyz Republic was declared on August 31, 1991. Being as the main holiday of our country this date is a symbol of courage, steadfastness and firmness to our people.

Freedom is a great heritage that lived in the genes of our ancestors and which we inherited at the cost of their livespassed down for generations. The Kyrgyz people, on its 2000-years-old historical path, including in the epoch of the Kyrgyz Haganat overpassed unprecedented difficulties, has always aspired to be a single people and build an independent and prosperous country.

August 31 is not only a historic day for us but also the result of a thousand-year struggle of many generations, as well as shed tears and blood of our mothers and fathers.

Over the past 28 years, Kyrgyzstan has gone through a number of challenges. Since independence, there have been carried out fundamental reforms to strengthen statehood. Among the former Soviet countries, Kyrgyzstan was the first to introduce the national currency, became a member of the WTO, introduced the right to private ownership of land, and foster the efforts towards building a democratic state and a market economy. The main results of these reforms include an active and strong civil society, a competitive political system and the liberal economy of Kyrgyzstan. Current taxes in Kyrgyzstan are the lowest in comparison with the taxes of Central Asian countries. These achievements are a solid foundation in building a fair and prosperous state.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Fraternal Turkey has supported Kyrgyzstan since independence. The first thing that I would like to note is that Turkey was the first to recognize the independence of Kyrgyzstan.

We have one language, one religion. As the Turkish brothers say: the hero Manas leads us, and we were all born in a yurt. Fraternal, historical and spiritual ties of the Kyrgyz and Turkish peoples are the basis of the current multilateral Kyrgyz-Turkish relations.

Current political, parliamentary, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties are at a high strategic level and are officially confirmed by a joint statement of the heads of state. In 2018, there were mutual official visits of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sooronbay Jeenbekov to Turkey and the President of the Republic of Turkey H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Kyrgyzstan. Along with this, it should also be noted the fruitful cooperation between the Kyrgyz and Turkish parliaments.

As part of that official visits in the field of economic, investment, agriculture, defense, education and science, health, sports, and migration have signed a large number of agreements. Currently, the signed agreements come into force and move into a practical plane.

In the framework of Kyrgyz-Turkish economic cooperation, the trade turnover of two countries amounted to 400 million US dollars. This volume does not correspond to the potentials and strategic partnership of the two countries. Currently, parties are making efforts to strengthen trade and economic ties. Priority issues in this area will be considered at the upcoming meeting of the Joint Kyrgyz-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Osh city, which has more than 3,000 years of history, was declared the cultural capital of the Turkic world and on April 19-21, there was the grand opening of the event.

By the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, the World Nomad Games are held since 2014. These cultural and sports games of nomadic peoples are held every 2 years with the participation of athletes from 80 countries. The Fourth World Nomad Games will be held in Turkey.

At the present time, according to the invitation of the President of the Republic of Turkey H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sooronbay Jeenbekov plans to visit Turkey for carrying out 5^th meeting of High Council of Strategic Cooperation in this year.

 

Dear Friends,

 

In conclusion, I express my deep appreciation for your participation in the event and sharing with us such joy. I also thank the members of the Kyrgyz diaspora and to my staff who assisted in arranging this event.

 

 

         Congratulations on Kyrgyz Republic`s Independence Day!

         It is my sincere hope that the close fraternal relations that exist between our two countries will further strengthen in the years ahead.

         Let Kyrgyzstan bloom and develop!

Wish you a good continuation of the evening!