Russia is ready to continue close cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in matters of military and military-technical cooperation. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kyrgyz Republic Nikolai Udovichenko stated in Kant town during a ceremonial meeting on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Russian airbase.
According to him, the Russian side highly values allied relations with Kyrgyzstan and is ready to continue comprehensive cooperation, including in the military and military-technical spheres.
The diplomat added that the airbase in Kant is an important defense line against external threats and a key component of the CSTO Collective Rapid Deployment Forces.
«The changes taking place today in the geopolitical sphere and the growing number of conflicts in international relations are increasing the role of the collective security forces. The leadership of our countries believes that increasing unity and combat readiness is the only correct response to these challenges,» Nikolai Udovichenko said.
The Russian airbase in Kant was officially opened on October 23, 2001 with the participation of the Presidents of the two states, Vladimir Putin and Askar Akayev. It is located approximately 20 kilometers from Bishkek and is the aviation component of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian direction of the CSTO collective security. Its main tasks are to exercise control over the airspace of the region and provide air support to the forces of the ground component of the Central Asian Collective Rapid Deployment Forces.
