Akayev: Kyrgyzstan is Russia's faithful ally

While opening a Russian air force base in Kant on Thursday, President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev announced that his country saw itself as a reliable source of political support for Russia in the region.

When saying that Kyrgyzstan would always be a faithful friend for Russia, Akayev said that the country would not have emerged unscathed from difficult historical periods without Russia as an ally.

He also said that the ancient site of Ala-Too, where the base is situated, would now take on a new significance in the security system formed around the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and would become a key part of it.

In addition, Askar Akayev pointed out that the situation in Central Asia still remained complicated. "Threats and challenges remain, which is why the security problem has not lost its urgency," he said. He also welcomed the Russian military by saying, "Russian servicemen from now on have their own home on Kyrgyz soil."