Kyrgyzstan and Tatarstan leaders meet in Cholpon-Ata to discuss Games, trade and snow leopards

Tatarstan leader Rustam Minnikhanov met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov after arriving in Cholpon-Ata for the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Nomad Games.

Minnikhanov praised the organisation of the current Games and the spectacle of the opening ceremony. “It will be very difficult for us to repeat your success, but we will try,” he told Japarov. The next Games will take place in Kazan in 2028, and Japarov expressed readiness to provide broad support for their organisation in Russia.

The two leaders also discussed trade and economic cooperation between Tatarstan and Kyrgyzstan. Minnikhanov said trade turnover had increased by more than one-third last year, surpassing $182 million.

Their cooperation extends beyond the economy and industry to biodiversity protection. The sides are working to preserve and increase the snow leopard population, according to the report.

Minnikhanov also thanked Japarov for his personal attention to strengthening ties between Tatarstan and Kyrgyzstan within the friendly relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan. He congratulated the Kyrgyz president on the successful organisation of the anniversary Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit marking 25 years of the grouping.

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It will be very difficult for us to repeat your success, but we will try.