German Chancellor Angela Merkel has held talks in Bishkek with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev at the start of a two-day visit to what is widely regarded as Central Asia’s most democratic country.

Merkel was met by Atambaev at Manas International Airport in an elaborate ceremony after her arrival late on July 13.

In their July 14 meeting at the presidential residence, Atambaev said Kyrgyzstan places great importance on its “historic” first hosting of a serving German chancellor.

Merkel said Kyrgyzstan has been developing its democracy and such a path leads to strengthened relations between Berlin and Bishkek.

Merkel welcomed Kyrgyzstan’s recent decision to retry the case of ethnic Uzbek activist Azimjon Askarov, who is serving a controversial life sentence for a conviction of stirring up ethnic hatred and involvement in a police officer’s death during ethnic unrest in 2010. She expressed hope that Askarov would receive a fair trial.

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