BISHKEK, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian defense minister told the president of Kyrgyzstan Wednesday that the Russian airbase in Kant will be developed over time.
"We have invested big money in the Kant base and see it as a long-term project," Sergei Ivanov told Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Ivanov said Russia was pursuing projects to modernize the airbase infrastructure and that $3.5 million had been allocated for the base in 2005.
The minister said Russia would continue providing military and technological assistance to the Kyrgyz armed forces. An agreement for the supply of weapons and equipment to Kyrgyzstan was also signed Wednesday.
Ivanov said Russia was committed to developing relations with the Central Asian republic both on a bilateral basis and within the regional Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
