Kyrgyz new Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov said Saturday his country will continue stepping up cooperation with Russia, the United States and China, according to reports from the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.

Jekshenkulov told reporters the three countries are still the most important strategic partners of Kyrgyzstan.

With them, Bishkek will strengthen cooperation continuously, he noted.

Kyrgyzstan will also try to improve relations with neighboring nations in Central Asia, added the minister.

Bishkek will make efforts to improve ties with Uzbekistan as the bilateral relations have been strained in recent months due to rifts over issues of Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan and the May riots in Uzbekistan, he said.

Jekshenkulov took office on Friday after Kyrgyz lawmakers approved seven candidates nominated by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev for the remaining vacancies in his new Cabinet.

Source: Xinhua