Turkey, Kyrgyzstan sign strategic partnership

Turkey and Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday agreed to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", boosting defence ties, during an official visit to the Central Asian state by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ankara is strengthening its presence across the region, as it seeks to compete with the likes of Russia and China for influence.
Erdogan regularly visits Central Asia and will on Wednesday take part in a summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, a Turkish-led initiative to promote its culture and ties across several former Soviet republics.

Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov said in a statement: "We have taken an important decision to raise the level of strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey to that of a 'comprehensive strategic partnership.'"

The two sides signed 19 agreements in areas including energy, defence and the fight against terrorism.
Japarov hailed "Kyrgyz-Turkish cooperation in the field of defence and the potential for further development."

Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Turkey has stepped up military cooperation with Central Asian states, a challenge to Moscow's historic supremacy in the region.