Lavrov Meets Kyrgyz Counterpart

(RFE/RL) 11 November 2005 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets his Kyrgyz counterpart Alibek Djekshenkulov for talks today in Moscow.

ITAR-TASS says discussions will focus on Central Asian security issues, such as drug trafficking and terrorism.


They will also talk about bilateral relations, which a Russian foreign ministry spokesman described as friendly and strategic.


Speaking to Interfax before today's meeting, Djekshenkulov called for more intensive joint action against Islamic terrorism.


On the subject of foreign military bases, he said Bishkek was not considering setting up a second Russian air base in the southern city of Osh.


He also said it was too early to talk about a possible timeline for a U.S. withdrawal from an air base near the Kyrgyz capital.


(ITAR-TASS/Interfax)

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