“Dialogue with institutions, civil society and political forces is the foundation on which the European Union’s strategy towards the Central Asian countries is based. We support democracy, human rights and socio-economic development in the region, we fund projects to manage water resources, modernise infrastructure and expand opportunities for young people in Kyrgyzstan.”

The delegation of the European Parliament, led by its President Giuseppina Princi, was received by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadir Dzhaparov.

President Dzhaparov stressed that cooperation with the European Union is among the priorities of Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy and defined the inter-parliamentary dialogue as an important mechanism for exchanging positions and strengthening mutual trust. The delegation of the European Parliament noted the progress in the socio-economic development of the country and the efforts to modernise the public administration, confirming its readiness to continue the constructive dialogue.

Vigenin stressed the strategic role of the European Union in the region: ‘As a representative of the Group of Socialists and Democrats, I consider it particularly important that the European Union is an active partner in strengthening democratic institutions, supporting sustainable development, protecting natural resources and improving people’s living conditions. Vigenin explicitly raised the issue and asked for more information on the case of the detained Social Democratic Union chairman Temirlan Sultanbekov, which was the subject of a European Parliament resolution last year.

During the mission, a meeting of the EU-Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee was held and a wide range of topics were discussed – from democracy, the rule of law and human rights to economic development, infrastructure connectivity and regional cooperation.

Particular attention was paid to European projects aimed at sustainable management of water resources, development of transport infrastructure, modernisation of public services and support for education and youth.

At the delegation’s meeting with Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, Christian Wigenin underlined the importance of the long-term partnership between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan and defined it as an opportunity to balance the influence of the two major powers in the region – Russia and China. Vigenin highly appreciated the upward development of cooperation between the Central Asian countries in recent years and stressed that this makes them stronger and more resilient to external pressures, as well as more attractive for investment and job creation.

During their visit to the city of Osh, the MEPs met with students and lecturers from the local university and visited projects funded by the European Union in the field of migration, water sector and regional development. Osh Governor Amankan Kenzhebayev briefed the delegation on the challenges faced by the local authorities.

The mission also included meetings with the Ministers of Education and Justice, representatives of civil society and the media, the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the OSCE field office.

“The European Parliament will continue to work actively to strengthen the partnership with Kyrgyzstan. Our goal is both the protection of democratic values and human rights and the promotion of sustainable development, economic opportunities and closer cooperation between our societies”, Vigenin concluded.

The next meeting of the EU-Argyzstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee will be held in Brussels early next year.