17/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU was pleased to note on Monday 16 February that the Kyrgyz Republic and Azerbaijan recently ratified the optional protocol to the UN Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment . The two countries are invited to take early steps towards implementing their obligations under the optional protocol, setting in place a national preventative mechanism and cooperation with the sub-committee on prevention. (L.C./transl.jl)