29/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on the Kyrgyz authorities on Tuesday 28 September to maintain and protect an open media environment (see EUROPE 12568/27). This is “an important enabler for free, competitive and transparent parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on 28 November”, the European External Action Service said in a statement after a meeting between Borrell and Kyrgyzstan’s foreign minister, Ruslan Kazakbaevin, in Brussels. The two men also discussed the next steps in EU-Kyrgyzstan relations, including the finalisation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) (see EUROPE 12291/26) and the preparation of the first EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, to be held in Bishkek on 5 November. They also discussed Afghanistan and the situation on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (see EUROPE 12710/24). (CG)