Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev met in Bishkek on Sunday with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Yang, who was in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek for an official visit over July 7-8, will also attend the regular foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) scheduled for July 9 in the city.

Atambayev expressed appreciation to China for its years of support and help in many fields.

Upbeat about the prospects for bilateral cooperation, the prime minister said he hoped the two countries would strengthen their cooperation in economy and trade, transportation and energy and promote the healthy development of non-governmental commerce.

The top Chinese diplomat said as friendly neighbors, China and Kyrgyzstan enjoy political mutual trust and economic mutual benefits, adding that therefore, enhancing bilateral cooperation serves the fundamental interests of both countries and reflects the common aspirations of both peoples.

Working with Kyrgyzstan, China would tap into the huge cooperation potentials and expand cooperation areas in a bid to push forward the friendly cooperative relations between two countries, the Chinese minister said.

Yang also pledged that China would continue its coordination with Kyrgyzstan, which currently holds the SCO presidency, on preparations for the upcoming SCO summit.

The SCO summit, scheduled in mid-August in Bishkek, will attract leaders of the six member states, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, for discussions on security, trade, military, judicial and cultural cooperation.

Yang also met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Ednan Karabayev on the same day. The two officials reached common ground on consolidating bilateral ties and promoting cooperation in many aspects.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2007)