Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Askar Chingizovich [Aitmatov] set out in his opening remarks our common assessments of the talks. I won't go over it all again - I agree with them. I would like to stress that I am very delighted to be staying here in Kyrgyzstan and I am grateful for the hospitality, for the organization of the visit on a high level. The friendly and allied relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan will continue to be strengthened.

Question: Was there any discussion of the problem of a restructuring of the CIS and do the views of Russia and Kyrgyzstan coincide on this question?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: We did consider the question of improving CIS reform activities. At the Commonwealth summit in Astana on September 15 the Heads of State decided to direct the Foreign Ministers to prepare suggestions, taking into account the initiative that was submitted by Kazakhstan. Russia, like the other CIS countries, is now studying this initiative. We agreed that the considerations of all the CIS countries through the Foreign Ministries should come in by November 1. We believe that indeed, as Askar Chingizovich said, the Kazakhstan initiative is very timely. Over the years of the existence of the CIS the processes of the formation of the various integration associations took place in this area. It is the CSTO and the Central Asian Cooperation Organization (by the way, Russia is officially joining this Organization in the coming days) and the Eurasian Economic Community and the Common Economic Space, in meaning and objectives very close to the EurAzEc. The processes of the harmonization of these integration structures, of these formats will be continued, and they have a direct bearing on the CIS, since they are concerned with the questions of cooperation and integration in various fields, which the CIS in accordance with its Statute was dedicated to. What impresses us in the Kazakhstan initiative is the wish to enhance the importance of the main bodies of the organization - the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government - by relieving them of secondary, current issues not requiring the attention of the first persons. We think it correct to look at the composition, at the list of main sectoral bodies of the CIS. Our approach is to raise maximally the autonomy of those sectoral bodies by making them more efficient. We agree with this as well. I would like to add that it is important to search for effective ways to enhance the role of the CIS in solving the problems of security. This idea lies at the core of the Kazakhstan initiative. In what ways to seek to realize it, this has to be pondered and, as Askar Chengizovich said, suggestions are now being prepared in each capital to this effect. They must be presented by November 1.

I shall note that, as part of the restructuring of the CIS, we would like to pay more attention to fostering structured interactions in the humanitarian sphere, including the fields of education, culture, sport and languages - all that which relates to the daily life of people.

Question: What is your vision of the further development of Russian-Kyrgyz relations?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I already said in my brief opening remarks that our relations bear an allied, partner character, a character which reflects the friendship existing between our peoples. We highly assess the measures which the leadership of Kyrgyzstan has been taking to provide all the inhabitants of the republic with a possibility to develop their language, culture, traditions and customs. It impresses Russia that the Russians in Kyrgyzstan feel better than in many other republics. We would like that this positive experience would extend to other states with a Russian-speaking population. I expect today to visit the Novo-Pavlovsk Russian School, where, as I was told, a very interesting experiment is being introduced in the field of teaching the Russian language and of developing ties between our countries. Based on this deeply rooted friendship, on mutual understanding and respect of the interests of each other, I can say with certainty that the strategic and allied relationship between Russia and Kyrgyzstan is going to be strengthened.

Apart from the striving and desire that our peoples would live together, we also have a duty to ensure the security of our citizens. This security has been subject to increasingly serious threats of late, which can only be fought jointly. Military and political cooperation between Moscow and Bishkek is called upon to provide calm for our states and peoples. In the economic sphere Russia and Kyrgyzstan are both actively involved in the most "advanced" integration schemes within the Commonwealth and other integration associations.

Question: Please comment on the results of the presidential elections in Abkhazia. How will they reflect on the prospects for settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Russia is interested in conflicts within the CIS territory being resolved as soon as possible and on the basis of the agreements in principle that were reached and lie at the base of the established mechanisms for the settlement of these conflicts. In full measure this applies also to the situation in Georgian-Abkhaz settlement. The conflict is also on the United Nations agenda, and there operates the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General, whose special representatives are working in the region. In this regard, Russia acts both as a member of the Group of Friends and as a facilitating party. Moscow is not indifferent to what is happening in this area, taking into account our sincere wish to live in friendship and harmony with Georgia and see that country calm and democratic, where all the peoples and nationalities enjoy maximum rights. In Abkhazia there are many Russian citizens, and so we view the situation, first and foremost, in terms of the necessity to guarantee the rights of people and settle the conflict. I am convinced that whoever heads up Abkhazia will have to continue to work with the aim of achieving a settlement based on the available agreements and decisions, through the existing mechanisms. The Georgian side should abide by its obligations, it should travel its part of the road in the spirit of good will. We are urging both sides towards such work.

Question: Sergey Viktorovich, what does the accession of Kyrgyzstan to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction signify?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: We welcome the completion in Kyrgyzstan of the Convention accession procedures and highly appreciate the fact that Kyrgyzstan chose Russia as one of the depositaries of this document for the delivery of the appropriate instruments. The main significance of this step is that now, when the struggle against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is one of the most urgent tasks, when this task is directly connected with the fight against international terrorism, any steps to strengthen the international legal regime for the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction are a reflection of the high sense of responsibility of the respective states. That's how Russia regards this important decision of the leadership of Kyrgyzstan.

October 12, 2004