Brussels, 17/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - In light of the tangible progress in human rights, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambaev has obtained the support of a European aid programme for reforms to the rule of law.
During his first official visit to Brussels on Tuesday 17 September - his 57th birthday - Atambaev was congratulated by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy on the progress in democratisation that has been made since Atambaev came to power in 2011. Atambaev came to power after a presidential election which saw the first peaceful transition of power in Kyrgyzstan since the country's independence from the USSR in 1991.
“I am impressed by the determination of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan to pursue a democratic path in a challenging environment”, Van Rompuy told Atambaev, congratulating him on his commitment to promoting an ambitious reform programme, by means of a “balanced and inclusive” national strategy for sustainable development for 2013-2017. The strategy has allowed tangible progress in the protection of human rights and minorities.
Assuring Atambaev of the EU's continued support for Kyrgyzstan's efforts and of aid for the organisation of elections in 2015, Van Rompy called on the Kyrgyz authorities to concentrate their efforts on judicial reform and the fight against corruption. “Sustainable development also depends on the success of policies in these areas”, said Van Rompuy, who announced the signature of an agreement between the European Commission and Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday for a European programme to support reforms to the rule of law. The programme is backed by a financial commitment of €13.5 million.
On the economic level, Van Rompuy stressed the need for Kyrgyzstan to implement structural and macro-economic reforms - for which the EU will deliver macro-economic financial assistance “in the coming months”. On the sidelines of Atambaev's visit, the EIB and the Kyrgyz government signed a framework agreement, on Tuesday, enabling financial support to be initiated for investment projects in energy, the environment, water, and SMEs in the country.
Lastly, Van Rompuy and Atambaev discussed dynamics in Central Asia and regional security - including the challenges linked to reconstruction in Afghanistan.
The EU-Kyrgyzstan bilateral relationship is governed by a partnership and cooperation agreement which was signed in 1995 and came into force in 1999. The political and economic dialogue established in 1991 - which also focuses on issues of trade and investment - was strengthened in 2002 through the inclusion of questions linked to regional security, energy, water and human rights.
At the regional level, Kyrgyzstan is a partner of the EU as part the strategy for a new partnership between the EU and Central Asia launched in 2007. (EH/transl.fl)