February 3, 2011

Turkey is our guiding star, says Kyrgyz prime minister

Aydın Pazarcı

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan today. The two-day visit, during which the prime minister will be joined by a large delegation, including State Minister Zafer Çağlayan as well as many business figures and journalists, is notable for being the first such high-profile visit in seven years.

In a pre-visit interview with Today’s Zaman, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said: “Turkey is our North Star, and as Turkey grows and develops, it stands as an example for us. It opens the way forward for its brother nations.” Speaking very good Turkish, Atambayev underscored the importance of this visit by Erdoğan, noting that it means much from the perspective of showing support for the newly formed Kyrgyz government.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed. Turkey, our brother nation, has always been by our side. Our nation has had a particularly trying time since last April, and we have noted Turkey’s presence by our side during these times. Turkey has not withheld a single act of generosity from us,” Atambayev said.