On Monday 9 October, the Council of the European Union adopted a mandate for the European Commission and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to negotiate, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Kyrgyzstan.
A press release from the Council says that the new agreement "will build on the partnership and cooperation agreement in force since 1999" and "will reflect the ambition of the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic to take forward their bilateral relations". Back in March, the EU-Kyrgyz Republic Cooperation Council had reaffirmed the two parties' interest in further strengthening their bilateral relations.
In its press release, the Council says that the partnership with Kyrgyzstan is based on "the Kyrgyz Republic's commitment to undertake reforms to strengthen democracy, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and to promote sustainable economic development". It says that the EU has supported the Kyrgyz Republic in these efforts through its long-term development cooperation, including support to the reform of its electoral system. "The EU expects the upcoming presidential elections in the Kyrgyz Republic to be carried out in line with its international obligations and commitments in terms of holding credible, inclusive and transparent elections", the Council states. The elections are due to take place on 19 November. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)