Blanar Commemorates Interhelpo's Founding During Visit to Kyrgyzstan... (2)

Bishkek, April 25 (TASR) - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) began his official visit to Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, April 24, by attending celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Interhelpo cooperative, highlighting the deep historical legacy left in Bishkek by the descendants of its members [workers], TASR has learnt from the ministry's communications department. Interhelpo was an industrial production cooperative of Czechoslovak workers and farmers founded in 1923 in Zilina to help build socialism in Soviet Kyrgyzstan. The first cooperative workers arrived in Bishkek on April 24, 1925. Despite harsh conditions, many members of the movement were actively involved for years in building economic infrastructure, including Kyrgyzstan's first power plant, the Turkestan–Siberian Railway, and the Chustroy dam. The cooperative ceased its activities in 1943, while some members returned to Czechoslovakia, others chose to settle permanently in Kyrgyzstan. According to Blanar, Slovakia shares with Kyrgyzstan a unique historical story of human courage, international cooperation, and solidarity. "Our ancestors sold all their belongings and chose to leave for what is now Bishkek to help build a new world. They began constructing factories, schools, hospitals, contributed to building railways, and at that time accounted for up to 20 percent of Kyrgyzstan's GDP, something truly hard to replicate," he said. The Slovak foreign minister met in Bishkek with some descendants of Interhelpo. "Among them was a young Alexander Dubcek, whose family also left Zilina and became part of this Slovak–Kyrgyz story. This unique historical and political connection, embodied by such a prominent figure in our internationally renowned politician, remains visible and continues to unite us to this day,” Blanar emphasised. The ministry reported that minister Blanar is slated to meet top Kyrgyz officials in the capital city, Bishkek, including President Sadyr Zhaparov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zheenbek Kulubayev, Minister of Economy and Trade Bakyt Sydykov, and Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Nurlanbek Shakiyev. He'll also open the Interhelpo 2.1 Slovak-Kyrgyz business forum in Bishkek. The forum will be attended by representatives of 30 Slovak companies and institutions. The ministry stated that this important forum for B2B meetings between Slovak and Kyrgyz entrepreneurs will support new business opportunities and investment activities between the two countries. lin