Brussels, 22/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 21 November, the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their relations - as part of the bilateral partnership and cooperation agreement, “which still needs to be fully exploited”, and the overall framework provided by the EU strategy for Central Asia. The Cooperation Council welcomed the implementation of this strategy on the regional and national level and the “active” engagement of the Kyrgyz Republic in EU regional initiatives and programmes. The EU and the Kyrgyz Republic discussed political reforms, the economy and trade, energy, transport, and common threats and challenges. While the EU commended the efforts made by the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic to pursue the democratic reform, it called on the Kyrgyzstani authorities to take further steps to address human rights concerns. The EU re-affirmed its commitment to support further the consolidation of democratic and socio-economic reforms in the Kyrgyz Republic and actions to promote inter-ethnic reconciliation. The Cooperation Council underlined the importance of regional cooperation. (CG/transl.fl)