Kyrgyzstan's ambassador to the United States, Muktar Jumaliev, says the Manas Transit Center near Bishkek will be converted from military use to a civil aviation hub after 2014.
Jumaliev told RFE/RL that the change will take place after most NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014.
NATO is currently using the transit center to send noncombat supplies to its troops in Afghanistan.
Jumaliev declined to say if any U.S. personnel will remain at the transit center after the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
According to Jumaliev, Kyrgyzstan gets much-needed payments for use of the transit center.
Bishkek receives $60 million per year from the United States for the center's lease, plus between $200 million and $300 million per year in taxes and other fees.
Jumaliev told RFE/RL that the change will take place after most NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014.
NATO is currently using the transit center to send noncombat supplies to its troops in Afghanistan.
Jumaliev declined to say if any U.S. personnel will remain at the transit center after the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
According to Jumaliev, Kyrgyzstan gets much-needed payments for use of the transit center.
Bishkek receives $60 million per year from the United States for the center's lease, plus between $200 million and $300 million per year in taxes and other fees.
