Ankara (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that Turkey would continue cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in all fields.

Gul made the remarks at a joint press confidence with visiting Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev in the Turkish capital of Ankara, saying that Turkey was encouraging Turkish businesspeople to make new investments in Kyrgyzstan.

Gul expressed confidence that the trade volume between the two countries would exceed 1 billion U.S. dollars in 2012.

Gul said Kyrgyzstan had experienced "extraordinary changes" through the last couple of years with a new constitution and legislation, but still, the country "has a lot to do."

"I would like the whole world to know that we stand in solidarity with our Kyrgyz brothers who have passed through a major transition process. And I would like to congratulate President Atambaev who has led his country successfully," said Gul.

For his part, Atambaev said, "relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan will not be a formality as it was in the past," adding, "relations will be from the heart."

Atambaev said that it was his first official trip overseas after assuming duties as the president of Kyrgyzstan.

A roadmap for cooperation in 2012-2013 and memorandums were signed between the two countries on Thursday prior to the joint press conference in the Turkish Presidency.

Atambayev also met with Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek following the meeting with Gul. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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