Turkey is determined to further enhance bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan while rescuing it from "the shadow of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)", President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Sunday.
"We are resolute in further enhancing our relations in the upcoming period while saving it from the shadow of FETO," Erdoğan said at a ceremony at Manas University in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.
Erdoğan warned Kyrgyzstan about FETO, saying it is a "treacherous and sneaky" organization.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Erdoğan said Turkey wants to increase cooperation with "brotherly" Kyrgyzstan not only in the areas of politics but also in economy, trade and culture.
About Manas University, which was established in 1995, Erdoğan said he had visited the university thrice in the last eight years.
He praised the university for its growth in academics and technology in a short span of 23 years.
"Turkey has contributed $356 million in grant to the university," Erdoğan said.
He added a total of 128 Turkish people were employed at the university as academics and administrative personnel.
TURKISH PRESIDENT OPENS MOSQUE IN KYRGYZSTAN
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated the Central Imam Serahsi Mosque in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on Sunday.
"I hope that […] this monument will ensure to strengthen the bonds of common religion, language, history, culture, and brotherhood between Kyrgyzstan and our country," Erdoğan said.
"I hope that this work will become a symbol of unity and, peace among brother [countries] because we are two semi-states but one nation.
"Above all, we are [part of the Muslim] Ummah," Erdoğan added.
The mosque which can accommodate 20,000 worshippers is spread over 7,000 square meters.
Erdoğan accompanied by Turkish ministers began a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan on Saturday.
KYRGYZSTAN INVITES TURKISH INVESTORS
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on Sunday called on Turkish investors to invest in Kyrgyzstan.
"There is an environment of trust between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. Our bilateral relations are enhancing," Jeenbekov said in his address at the Turkey-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
Jeenbekov said Turkish businessmen invested more than $500 million in Kyrgyzstan since 1995.
"We wish to export ecological agriculture products to Turkey," he added.
The president said the bilateral trade volume between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey was around $356 million.
"Our [bilateral] trade volume increased 18 percent in the last 25 years. We do not use our full potential. We need to struggle to increase trade volume to $1 billion," Jeenbekov added.
