Cross Year is expression of common aspirations of our peoples to be even closer, President

Moscow, Feb.28, 2020. /Kabar/. "Today's event is an expression of the common aspirations of our peoples to be even closer," President of the Kyrgyz Republic stressed at the opening of the Cross Year of Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The event was held yesterday, Feb. 27 at the State Kremlin Palace in the Russian capital city of Moscow. Jeenbekov noted Kyrgyzstan respects a common, shared history with Russia. According to him, almost one and a half centuries ago the Kyrgyz people has chosen the fate of being with the people of Russia out of all possible options for development. "As history has shown, it was the right step. Today we pay tribute to the wisdom and foresight of our ancestors who made this decision. It is undeniable that over the seven decades of Kyrgyzstan's existence as part of a single Soviet state, we have seen rapid development in education, science, culture and industry. It has been almost thirty years since Kyrgyzstan became an independent state. But cultural, spiritual and brotherly relations of our peoples remained inseparable. Despite all the vicissitudes of post-Soviet history, we have remained a close, brotherly, friendly country with Russia. Close ties between the two countries take place not only through interstate relations. It is gratifying that close, friendly and fraternal relations are also being strengthened between the peoples of our countries," Jeenbekov said. The Kyrgyz leader stressed t joint efforts have helped preserve centuries-old common cultural and spiritual values. "In Kyrgyzstan, Russian is not only the official language, but also the language of inter-ethnic communication. It brings our peoples even closer together," the President noted. President Sooronbay Jeenbekov is in Russia for his two-day working visit. Yesterday, Feb. 27 the President took part in the opening of the Cross Year of Kyrgyzstan and Russia at the State Kremlin Palace. Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Russian leader Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the ceremony. The program of the gala concert presented a great variety of genres of musical and choreographic art in Russia and Kyrgyzstan. During the Cross Year, concerts, performances, exhibitions and festivals with the participation of honored artists of Russia and Kyrgyzstan will be held at the largest cultural venues of the two countries.