Defense ministers of Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed a 3-million-US-dollar deal on military and technical assistance on Wednesday, according to reports from Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

In accordance with the agreement, Russia will supply the Kyrgyz military with an Mi-8 NTV military helicopter, 10 military trucks and other weapons and equipment during the 2005-2006 period, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told a press conference in Bishkek.

It is the first time that Russia allocates funds from the state budget to finance the armies of other countries including that of Kyrgyzstan, Ivanov said.

Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ismail Isakov said that the military cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan has been strengthened in recent years, and the two countries have already signed some 40 military deals.

To boost ties with Russia is a priority of the Kyrgyz foreign policy, Isakov added.

Ivanov held talks with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov earlier in the day, and visited, together with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the Kant air base which hosts some 500 Russian military personnel.

The Russian official arrived in Bishkek on Tuesday on a three-day visit. Later, he will visit Uzbekistan.

Source: Xinhua