The European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic held their 15th Cooperation Committee meeting on 28 June 2018 in Bishkek. The Cooperation Committee reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continue and strengthen cooperation in a number of areas, political, security and sustainable economic development.
In light of the peaceful, orderly and competitive Presidential election last year, the EU and Kyrgyzstan discussed the renewed commitment of the Kyrgyz authorities to pursue democratic reforms. The EU confirmed its readiness to continue to support these efforts. The EU recalled discussions of the Human Rights Dialogue held on Tuesday, especially as regards the importance of the national human rights institutions, the independence of the judiciary, cooperation with civil society and rights and empowerment of women. The meeting addressed reforms and development cooperation in various areas, including the rule of law, electoral reform, judiciary reform, education and integrated rural development, to which the EU has allocated €174 million for the period 2014-2020.
Special attention was given to the economic situation, as the majority of this support is provided directly to the Kyrgyz budget, to allow the Government to reform its education and social protection sectors, as well as the electoral system.
EU contributions to supporting municipal infrastructure development was also reviewed. Kyrgyzstan has already benefitted from the EU Investment Fund for Central Asia, IFCA, with nearly €117 million invested in Kyrgyzstan for the modernisation of municipal services in the area of water and solid waste projects in 11 Kyrgyz cities, energy efficiency technologies, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises implemented by International Financial Institutions.
The participants also exchanged views on a number of issues such as regional and international developments, security, trade, energy and environment. The EU contributes €16 million to the rehabilitation of Kyrgyz uranium mining sites and supports the organisation of a donor conference on 8 November in order to gather additional contributions from international donors.
The EU updated the Kyrgyz Republic about preparation of the new EU Strategy for Central Asia which is set to be finalised by the end of 2019.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Nurlan Abdrahmanov and the EU delegation was led by Mr. Luc Devigne, Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia and OSCE in the European External Action Service. The next Cooperation Committee will be held in Brussels in 2019.
