Kyrgyzstan's Bakiyev: Turkey is the door for Kyrgyzstan to open up to outside world, particularly the west

The ties between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey are deeply rooted in history, ethnic links and culture, said yesterday President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Speaking to Today's Zaman just before President Abdullah Gul's visit to the country which will be the first presidential visit from Turkey to Kyrgyzstan in eight years, he stated that they should be developed further to allow more trade and enhanced cooperation on strategic issues. Adding that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Kyrgyzstan after they had declared their independence, he said, "At that time, Turkey extended a helping hand to Kyrgyzstan, which was facing economic difficulties following the dissolution of the Soviet." Bakiyev reiterated that Turkey is the door for Kyrgyzstan to open up to the outside world, particularly the West.