EU high representative Josep Borrell visits Kyrgyzstan to strengthen bilateral ties

Bishkek (The Brussels Moning Newspaper) – The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell reached Kyrgyzstan.

Within the framework of his visit, sessions are planned with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev and the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic Boobek Azhikeev. The High Representative of the European Union was received by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov.

How Are the EU and Kyrgyzstan Strengthening Political and Economic Ties?

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev held a bilateral discussion with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy — Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell. The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

What Topics Were Discussed in Borrell’s Meetings with Kyrgyz Leaders?

The parties are concerned with issues of strengthening political, economic and cultural interaction between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan. Particular engagement was paid to the implementation of items of the roadmap to deepen relations between the EU and Central Asia. The parties also examined regional security, climate change and backing for initiatives aimed at the evolution of the region.

The Kyrgyz minister noted that regular communications reflect a common desire to develop and strengthen bilateral collaboration. He added that the Kyrgyz Republic requires European technologies and investments to execute major projects in such areas as transport, hydropower, critical minerals and others.

Josep Borrell, in turn, concentrated on the signed agreement on improved partnership and cooperation and noted that the European Union is curious about strengthening cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in all dimensions of mutual interest — in the economy, trade, as well as in the domain of sustainable development and human rights.

How Does the EU Plan to Support Kyrgyzstan’s Regional Development Initiatives?

The political bases for the EU’s partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic were founded in the 1999 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).  The contract was aimed at strengthening the relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU. 

Taking into account the development of bilateral ties and the emergence of new spaces of interaction, the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic arranged the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), which was created in July 2019. Once the legal procedures are finalized, a recommendation for a Council Decision will be established to pave the way for translations and then marked. The Kyrgyz Republic is also an associate in the new European Union Strategy on Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Strong Partnership Strategy, adopted in 2019.