BISHKEK, December 18 (RIA Novosti) - Kyrgyzstan's GDP growth may total 6-6.5% in 2006, the country's president said Monday.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev hailed the economic results of the year and the government's efforts to ensure economic growth.

He said the government failed to reach its goal of 8% GDP growth.

"That task was not fulfilled, but it does not mean the government did a bad job. It happened for objective reasons," the president said.

He said the Kyrgyz parliament is partially to blame for the failure.

"Unfortunately, our legislative branch is more interested in politics," he added.

In 2005, Kyrgyzstan's GDP fell by 0.6% due to a sharp decrease in gold production and economic disruptions early in the year.