The European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic launched negotiations on Tuesday 19 December on a new agreement, a comprehensive framework that will strengthen bilateral relations (see EUROPE 11879).
“During my recent visit to Bishkek (Ed: at the start of November), the leaders of the Kyrgyz Republic shared with me their ambitious reform agenda and their commitment to strengthen democracy, promote transparency and good governance, and develop new economic opportunities", said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in a press release. She said the new agreement “will allow us to further support these aspirations, to build stronger political and economic ties, and to create more possibilities to bring benefits both in the EU and in Kyrgyzstan”.
The agreement being negotiated will replace the current partnership and cooperation agreement, which has been in force since 1999. The first round will seek agreement on procedural aspects of the negotiations process and allow an exchange views on the objectives and general principles of the new agreement. The EU says it is expected that the new agreement will focus, inter alia, “on political cooperation, trade and investment relations, economic cooperation in support of sustainable development”.
While no date has been set for conclusion of the negotiations, “the aim is to make swift progress” towards reaching “an ambitious agreement as soon as possible”, the EEAS says. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)