French Defence Minister will present humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan

French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie arrived on Monday in Bishkek to present humanitarian `aid to the armed forces of that country, reported the press service of the Kyrgyz Defence Ministry. According to it, the handing over of the humanitarian aid by representatives of the French military delegation to the command of the Kyrgyz armed forces will take place on Tuesday at the air base of the anti-terrorist coalition which is located at Manas airport of the Kyrgyz capital. The aid cargo consists mainly of logistic support means and munitions.

In the course of her two-day visit to Kirghizia, the French Defence Minister also intends to meet the President of that republic, Askar Akayev, to discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation in the sphere of defence and also the anti-terrorist operation on Afghan territory in which the armed forces of France take part in the coalition forces.

Michele Alliot-Marie plans also to discuss a number of issues concerning the French military contingent in the anti-terrorist coalition with Brigadier General Lloyd, commander of the coalition forces deployed in Kyrgyzstan.

This is already the second visit by representatives of the French supreme military command to Kyrgyzstan in the past month. In May, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Jean Pierre Job arrived in Bishkek. It is expected that the French Defence Minister will leave Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.