Speaking to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Putin said there seemed to be no more obstacles to Russia resuming cooperation with its Central Asian neighbor now that political stability had returned. "The political situation is stabilizing, so there are no obstacles to the implementation of [joint economic] projects," he said.
Bakiyev said developing economic cooperation with Russia was one of his government's priorities and that Kyrgyzstan was particularly interested in Russian companies helping with the construction of the hydroelectric stations Kambar Ata 1 and Kambar Ata 2.
President Putin expressed hope that Bakiyev's visit to Moscow would "give good impetus to the realization of plans made earlier."
The Kyrgyz leader said that low living standards and unemployment were the two biggest problems his country was facing now. "We need to create jobs and revive [industrial] production," Bakiyev said, adding that he was hopeful Putin would support the Kyrgyz government's efforts toward economic reinvigoration.
"Sure we'll be working [together]," Putin replied.
