Strasbourg, 21/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - During a debate on Tuesday 20 April 2010 on the situation in Kyrgyzstan, MEPs urged the EU to take a cautious approach in its relations with the new government, which has not yet pledged to respect democracy. Another debate is scheduled on Monday among EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. Several MEPs argue that Europe should have a greater presence in Central Asia and reboot the EU's Central Asian strategy.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said the situation on the ground remained tense after the riots in the outskirts of the capital, Bishkek, on Monday. After easing of political tension, supporters of the ousted president seem to be planning to stir up trouble and encourage violence in the country. Querying the legitimacy of the provisional government, Ashton welcomed the first details of a roadmap that has been put forward. She said information received was encouraging and elections are expected to take place (at the end of September or start of October this year), but she recommended a cautious approach. If the new government commits itself to democracy, then the EU would be prepared to provide the necessary financial and technical aid, added Ashton.
German MEP Elmar Brok (of the CDU) said the priority had to be restoring order and ensuring the safety of individuals. He said social and economic development was important for political stability and corruption remains highly problematic. Brok said the entire region deserved the EU's attention and the countries in the region are in such a state of instability that EU effort should focus on consolidating the state and the rule of law. This is crucial, he said, in such a strategically important region for energy and for religious issues, which have to be monitored closely to ensure the region does not descend into Islamic fundamentalism.
A dictator has been overturned, his replacement is jubilant and tells everyone he will let his subjects enjoy democracy but in a few months, we'll find ourselves back at the starting point, explained Hannes Swoboda (S&D, Austria), who wants history not to be allowed to repeat itself this time. Hoping that the old president (who left the country to take refuge in Kazakhstan but has since moved on) will not seek to fuel discord, he wants assurances from the new government and genuine proof of their democratic intentions. Swoboda said the situation of Kyrgyzstan's neighbours must be closely monitored. A Central Asian strategy has been introduced but it has not been talked about enough, argued Swoboda, calling for it to be given a new lease of life.
A pledge to do what is right for the people is what the EU expects from the new Kyrgyz political leaders,, explained Niccolò Rinaldi (ALDE, Italy), adding that the new leaders were not exactly new. Rinaldi said he was awaiting details from the interim government, which does not yet have any legitimacy through the ballot box. He argued that a key reform would be to introduce independent judges.
Ulrike Lunacek (Greens-EFA, Austria) called for mobilisation, saying it was an excellent idea to sent the EU's Special Representative for Central Asia, Pierre Morel, to the area but it was also important to revise the EU's strategy for Central Asia. There were great expectations of the new president in 2005 but he followed in the wake of his predecessors, noted Lunacek, adding that the expectations had been disappointed and this could well happen again if no changes were made.
Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE-NGL, France) echoed this comment, pointing out that the Tulip Revolution of 2005 had generated enormous hopes but President Bakiev had failed. She said that the huge strategic importance of the area (not only in military terms) is still being ignored and the EU, despite a handful of fine speeches, is not yet present in Central Asia. She said the only powers present in the region were the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan (which currently chairs the OSCE).
Without giving any details about any changes to the EU's strategy for Central Asia, Ashton said any changes would be made by the EU's new diplomatic corps. She simply said that there was a strategy in place and that strategy would be examined. (A.B. trans fl)