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Kyrgyz president pledges cooperation with Uzbekistan on fight against extremism | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Bishke- Kyrgyzstan”s President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Monday pledged that his country was ready to cooperate with neighboring Uzbekistan in fighting terrorism and religious extremism.

&#34Kyrgyzstan shares Uzbekistan”s concern over growing threats from religious extremism, including from Hizb-ut-Tahrir and other religious extremist organizations,&#34 Bakiyev said in a statement. &#34We express solidarity with Uzbekistan over the necessity to step up joint efforts in the fight against international terrorism and religious extremism that threaten regional security and stability.&#34

Bakiyev said that both sides should take additional measures to stabilize the situation on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border.

Bakiyev also said that expanding trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan &#34has been, and still remains, a main priority in Kyrgyzstan”s foreign economic activities.&#34

Bakiyev”s statement comes a day before a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who has praised Kyrgyz government for complying with its international obligations when dealing with Uzbek refugees.