Kyrgyzstan will not change its foreign policy and will try to resume domestic stability and further ties with neighboring countries to maintain regional peace and prosperity, said Kyrgyz leaders in Bishkek Thursday during a meeting with the visiting secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Kyrgyzstan is taking all measures to stabilize the country rocked by the recent political upheaval and promote its economic development, said Kyrgyz acting President and Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Bakiyev, who contributed to the creation of the SCO in 2001 when he was the prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, spoke highly of SCO's goals for regional cooperation and pledged full obligations within the framework of the bloc.

Bakiyev said the new government will continue participating in all cooperation within the SCO and carry out all documents signed as a member state.

Bakiyev expressed the hope of strengthening cooperation on all aspects especially on trade with neighboring countries to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in Central Asia.

Also at the meeting, Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Speaker Omurbek Tyekebayev said Kyrgyzstan will not change its foreign policy and will try to secure an open and fair presidential election in June.

SCO Secretary-General Zhang Deguang, concluding his three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, expressed appreciation of the pledge made by Kyrgyz new government and his wish that the country's international status will continuously increase with developing peace and prosperity.

The SCO, having established ties with a number of international financial organizations, will maintain its opening-up policy and will cooperate with other countries and organizations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Zhang said.

The SCO, set up in June 2001 to promote regional cooperation and fight terrorism, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Kyrgyzstan experienced political turbulence when disputed parliamentary elections on February 27 and March 13 triggered widespread protests across the Central Asian country. Opposition supporters stormed the main government buildings in capital Bishkek and forced former Kyrgyz President Akayev to flee to Moscow and finally to resign on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)