"The Russian military base is a significant security factor for Kyrgyzstan and other Collective Security Treaty Organization states in the face of the international terrorism threat," he said at a function on the occasion of the Kyrgyz foreign ministry's 60th anniversary.
Mr. Lavrov said that Russia knew this threat not by hearsay.
"Vigilance, joint efforts and a ramified network of interaction between all states of the world are needed here," he said.
The minister gave the Kyrgyz authorities archive documents, including originals dealing with the establishment of the Kyrgyz foreign ministry. Mr. Lavrov emphasized that relations with Kyrgyzstan are a priority in Russia's policy in Central Asia, the CIS, and on the international arena.
Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev in his speech asked Mr. Lavrov to tell the Russian government and all Russians that "all the Kyrgyz people are devoted to friendship with the great Russia."
In his words, Kyrgyzstan will always be loyal to the thought that Russia was "given to us by God and history."
"2005 will see the 220th anniversary since the first diplomatic mission was sent to Russian Empress Catherine the Great. Our ancestors oriented themselves to Russia, and we are still loyal to their will today," said the Kyrgyz president.
