BISHKEK –– The fourth round of negotiations on the expanded Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan took place today in Bishkek. Luc Devigne, Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia and OSCE of the European External Action Service informed journalists about the results of the talks.

Luc Devigne

Mr Devigne declared that Kyrgyzstan becomes more and more significant for EU:

The Committee for Cooperation allows to consider all areas of interaction. The European Union assists Kyrgyzstan in carrying out reforms. The rule of law is a priority. Most of the aid is aimed at the education, social protection, the electoral system. The European Union rendered assistance for €174 mln.

He added that investment, freedom, security, climate change would be new areas of cooperation. The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Kyrgyzstan Nurlan Abdrakhmanov added that the republic attached special importance to the fulfilment of obligations to protect human rights. Kyrgyzstan creates conditions for the protection of human rights and freedoms through the reforms in the judicial and law enforcement systems.

In line with the Krygyz Republic’s national strategies, including the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) 2013-2017 and the Government’s Programme and Plan on Transition of the Kyrgyz Republic to Sustainable Development for 2013-2017, the EU’s development support towards Kyrgyzstan concentrated on the rule of law, education, and integrated rural development.

In the area of the rule of law, a €13.5 mln support programme was dedicated to fight corruption and protecting citizens’ rights by building the capacity of oversight bodies, supporting reform of the judiciary and strengthening civil society organisations and the media.