Bishkek: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov held talks on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan, to discuss bilateral cooperation. The leaders also exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest. Putin said relations were progressing successfully in line with the countries' Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

According to Qatar News Agency, bilateral trade between Kyrgyzstan and Russia reached record levels last year, with 97% of financial settlements between the two nations now conducted in their national currencies. Russia remains one of Kyrgyzstan's most important foreign trade partners.

Putin highlighted growing Russian investment in Kyrgyzstan, which has already reached USD2 billion. He pointed to significant potential for expanding cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy and underlined the two countries' aligned positions in international organisations.