[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 39 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Pages 1606-1608]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Askar Akayev 
on the Relationship Between the United States of America and the Kyrgyz 
Republic

September 23, 2002

    We declare our commitment to strengthen the long-term, strategic 
partnership and cooperation between our nations, desiring to promote a 
shared vision for the 21st century of a peaceful, prosperous, and 
sovereign

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Kyrgyz Republic that is increasingly integrated into the global economy 
and the community of democratic nations.
    We reaffirm our deep appreciation for the strong relations that have 
been established between our two countries based on mutual respect and 
the common goals of stability, peace, and prosperity. We will advance 
our cooperation on democratic political and free-market economic 
reforms, and the development of the resources of the Kyrgyz Republic and 
its people. We affirm that these political and economic reforms are a 
necessary condition to ensure political, social, and economic stability; 
sustainable development; prosperity; and national security.
    We recognize that the threats of terrorism, trafficking of 
narcotics, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction endanger the 
security not only of the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic, but also 
of the Central Asian region and the world at large. We, therefore, seek 
to develop our security cooperation to address these challenges and 
foster cooperation among the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic, its 
Central Asian neighbors, the other regional powers, and our European 
partners.
    Recognizing the essential role that the Kyrgyz Republic plays in the 
war against terrorism, we declare our intention to cooperate in this war 
to its conclusion and within the framework of the international 
coalition. We emphasize our support for the Afghan Transitional 
Administration and the goal that it be at peace internally and with its 
neighbors and integrated into the regional and international economic 
structures. We also express our readiness to support Afghanistan's 
reconstruction and the development of its natural and human resources.
    In the spirit of partnership, the Kyrgyz Republic and the United 
States intend to strengthen joint activity to ensure security and 
stability in Central Asia. We agree that the expansion of trade and 
economic ties among the states of Central Asia, and deepening of 
regional integration in important areas such as the environment, water 
resources, and transportation systems, are a basis for regional security 
and prosperity. The United States is enhancing assistance programs to 
the Kyrgyz Republic to strengthen border security and to increase the 
defensive capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic.
    We recognize that free-market economies, democratic political 
systems, and the rule of law provide the most effective means to advance 
the welfare of our citizens and the stability of our societies. The 
United States and the Kyrgyz Republic pledge to develop further our 
bilateral trade and investment relations, including through expanded 
contacts between the business communities of our countries. We are 
united in our mutual efforts to cooperate to accelerate the development 
of an attractive, transparent, and predictable investment climate in the 
Kyrgyz Republic. Achieving this goal requires the removal of legislative 
and administrative barriers to investment, strengthening respect for 
contracts and the rule of law, reducing corruption, and enhancing the 
Kyrgyz Republic's strong record on economic reform.
    We reaffirm our commitment to work diligently and on a regular and 
sustained basis in the areas specified in the Memorandum of 
Understanding signed in Washington on February 15, 2002, with the goal 
of strengthening the economic component of our bilateral cooperation. In 
accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, both sides have agreed 
that a high-level Kyrgyz government delegation will visit Washington in 
October 2002 for the purpose of further identifying realistic and 
achievable objectives aimed at accelerating economic reforms and 
development in the Kyrgyz Republic.
    Recognizing that democracy is a cornerstone of long-term stability, 
we reaffirm our desire to strengthen democratic institutions and 
processes, such as civil society, independent media, local government, 
political pluralism, and free and fair elections. We also reaffirm our 
mutual commitments to advance the rule of law and promote freedom of 
religion and other universal human rights as enshrined by the founding 
documents of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe, of which we are both members. Finally, we confirm 
our mutual efforts to enhance understanding between the citizens of our 
two

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countries by promoting people-to-people exchanges, initiatives of non-
governmental organizations, and contacts between business people.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.