The EU Council announced in a press release that the EU-Kyrgyz Republic Cooperation Council on Monday 6 March enabled both parties to reaffirm their interest in further strengthening their bilateral relations.
The EU "will continue to work closely with the Kyrgyz authorities to support their reform efforts to ensure a stable system of democratic governance and promote economic prosperity", the Council stated in its press release. Saying that "the rule of law, fight against corruption and judicial reform were necessary pre-conditions for sustainable development and an attractive business environment", the Council called on the Kyrgyz government to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, and said it would continue to support the Kyrgyz authorities in their efforts in this regard.
With the presidential elections planned for November 2017, the Council encouraged the country to build on the success of its competitive parliamentary elections in October 2015, to ensure a level playing field for all potential candidates, and to cooperate with relevant international organisations. It also urged Kyrgyzstan not to politicise the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders.
The EU appreciated the positive engagement of the Kyrgyz Republic in regional dialogue and cooperation, according to the Council.
The Council adds that "two thirds" of the EU's €184 million financial support package for the 2014-2020 period has already been allocated to specific programmes or budget support in the three focal areas of cooperation: the rule of law, the education sector and rural development. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)