Russia will remain Kyrgyzstan’s strategic partner, but the republic must rely on its own power from a military viewpoint, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev told a press conference on Thursday, December 1, according to RIA Novosti.

“I think we were absolutely right about the Hansi base (the US air base at the international airport of Kyrgyzstan’s capital was withdrawn by Atambayev's decision ),” noted the Kyrgyz President. “Five years have passed, and time has shown that it was the right decision.”

Kyrgyzstan must rely only on its own power in the future, he said, adding that the decision also concerns the Russian base.

Atambayev also noted that after the expiry of the agreement, the Russian base “will have to leave” the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

He added that the Russian authorities have responded with understanding.

The joint Russian military base is stationed in Kazakhstan’s territory. Under bilateral Kyrgyz-Russian agreements, the countries operate four military facilities. In 2009, the term of the agreement was extended for 49 years with the possibility of automatic extension of 25-year periods.