Kyrgyzstan’s deputy PM: Current realities require enhanced cooperation between partner countries

Bishkek, May 11, 2020. /Kabar/. Today’s realities require enhanced cooperation between partner countries. The Russian Federation is one of our main partners, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Erkin Asrandiyev said during an online meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Andrei Overchuk. "COVID-19 has made changes in people's lives and our plans. However, it is clear that we need to go further and expand economic cooperation. I would like to note that all proposals for bilateral cooperation find support of the Russian side. Work continues on all agreements," said Erkin Asrandiev, the Government’s press service reported. One of the important issues raised during the meeting was reduction of the natural gas price. "For us, this issue is very sensitive. The spread of coronavirus infection, the decline in business activity, the devaluation of the national currency has led to a decline in purchasing power of the population. Therefore, the Kyrgyz side asks to reconsider the issue of natural gas price. Of course, this issue cannot be solved overnight, but we hope for a positive answer. It is also proposed to consider using the available funds of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund to finance business within the framework of the approved second package of anti-crisis measures," the deputy PM said. In turn, the Russian side promised to consider the proposals of the Kyrgyz Republic. The meeting considered a wide range of issues, including the provision of technical assistance by the Russian Federation to the customs authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic, the progress of work on marking goods and tax collection. The sides agreed on the need to resume the implementation of the Action Plan within the declared Cross Year of the two countries.