AKIPRESS.COM - The President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov and President of the European Council Charles Michel met in Cholpon-Ata on June 3.

During the open and constructive meeting, the Presidents confirmed their firm commitment to further deepening of bilateral broad ranging cooperation, supported by the principles of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law, economic cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals. They also confirmed their firm commitment to the UN Charter and its principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries, the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic said.

The Presidents welcomed the achievements of the more than 30-year Kyrgyz-EU partnership. They stressed the need to continue efforts to further strengthen and develop bilateral partnership, including trade, economic and investment cooperation. The need for close cooperation in identifying and using opportunities for business, green growth, high labor and environmental standards was emphasized.

The Presidents highly appreciated the results of the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union signed in 1995. In order to further strengthen cooperation, they looked forward to the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in the near future, aiming at bringing relations to a qualitatively new level.

They discussed the importance of further development of business mobility and tourism, as well as the expansion of contacts between citizens. In this regard, President Michel took note of the wish of the Kyrgyz side to initiate consultations with the European Union on the issue of facilitating the visa regime for Kyrgyz citizens.

The Kyrgyz Republic welcomed the long-term support of the European Union in the field of democratic reforms and human rights. In this context, the importance of supporting programs conducted by the European Union, including in the areas of rule of law, good governance, education and youth participation, digitalization, green agenda and other areas of state importance, was noted.

The Presidents discussed additional ways of further cooperation in solving acute problems related to climate change and melting of the glaciers, which may have negative consequences not only for Kyrgyzstan, but for the entire region. In this respect, they discussed the initiatives of Kyrgyzstan, including relevant resolutions within the framework of the United Nations.

The President of the European Council welcomed the efforts of Kyrgyzstan together with other countries of the region to implement green projects, including through the construction of hydropower facilities aiming at solving the water-energy problems of the region.

The Kyrgyz Republic reiterated its firm commitment to the chosen course of democratic development. In this regard, it was noted that the progress of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of democracy and human rights, among other, had allowed it to be the first country in the region to receive EU trade preferences under the GSP+ program.

The leaders discussed the outcomes of the Second Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian countries and the President of the European Council held in Cholpon-Ata on June 2, 2023, and stressed the importance of continuing this interaction at the highest level, emphasizing also the leaders’ willingness to further formalise such meetings as regular summits.

The two Presidents commended close cooperation on the effective implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, adopted by the EU Member States in 2019, which focuses on the EU's commitment to partnering with the region for sustainability and prosperity, as well as promoting intra-regional cooperation.

In this regard, they welcomed the outcome of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in Cholpon-Ata on July 21, 2021, and the start of the process of signing the Treaty on Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the XXI Century.

The two Presidents also shared their views on the need to continue close cooperation in the field of security, including work within the framework of such regional initiatives as Border Management Programme in Central Asia, Law Enforcement in Central Asia and Central Asia Drug Action Programme, and discussed the need to prevent a humanitarian and socio-economic crisis in Afghanistan.

They noted the importance of strengthening the regional dialogue in Central Asia, which is the key to prosperity and further sustainable development. They emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts only through diplomatic means, without the use of force, and reaffirmed the belief in peaceful coexistence and negotiations based on democracy and the rule of law.

The President of the European Council Charles Michel expressed his gratitude to the Kyrgyz side for the extended warm welcome and hospitality.

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov expressed his gratitude for the invitation to visit Brussels.