Remarks by Ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen at the Opening of the Strategic Ramp at Manas International Airport

June 23, 2011

Good morning, Director of Manas International Airport, representatives of the civil aviation authority of the Kyrgyz Republic, Colonel Jacobson, airmen of the Transit Center, representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, and staff of the Manas International Airport.

I would like to express my thanks to the people and the government of the Kyrgyz Republic for their continued support of the Transit Center, which is key to international coalition efforts in Afghanistan.

The ramp we are opening today is a thirty million dollar improvement to the airport infrastructure. Not only will it further our ability to support the mission in Afghanistan, but it will serve as a lasting benefit to Kyrgyzstan and its economy.

The ramp will substantially increase the airport's capacity to accommodate international commercial air traffic in the future. The government of the Kyrgyz Republic is committed to turning the Manas Airport into a regional commercial hub and we are pleased to contribute to this effort.

In addition to the construction of this ramp, the U.S. is contributing $30 million for a new Kyrgyz Republic air traffic control system which will make air travel throughout the entire country safer, and allow for better air connections between Kyrgyzstan and the rest of the world.

Thank you again, to everyone who made this happen, and to all who work to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and the Kyrgyz Republic.