The European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic held a meeting of the Cooperation Committee on 10 November in Brussels. This was preceded on 9 November by the annual Human Rights Dialogue between the two sides.

Both meetings took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the continued strengthening of relations between the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Cooperation Committee reaffirmed the mutual commitment of both sides to continue to strengthen cooperation on political and security issues, as well as in sustainable economic development. The Committee looked ahead to next year’s EU-Central Asia Summit, building on the outcome of the EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting held in Luxembourg on 23 October 2023.

The two sides took stock of bilateral trade developments, including Kyrgyz utilisation of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+), the business environment, positive engagement at the recent Global Gateway Forum and regional cooperation. The EU and Kyrgyzstan also exchanged views on transport, regional and international issues including Global Gateway flagships and cooperation on water and energy, environment and climate change.

There was an exchange on cooperation in multilateral fora, including the international response to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The two sides discussed how to tackle the circumvention of international sanctions imposed on Russia. 

During their Human Rights Dialogue, the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic discussed the ongoing work of the Kyrgyz government to update national legislation under the new Constitution. The EU stressed the need for effective and democratic checks and balances and for the impartiality of the Constitutional Court.

The EU and the Kyrgyz Republic also engaged in a frank and detailed discussion on human rights and issues of governance. The EU expressed its concerns at negative recent trends in the Kyrgyz Republic, not least an increasingly restrictive media environment and growing restrictions on the freedom of expression. The EU called for new legislative initiatives to be fully aligned with international standards, reflecting recommendations made by international organisations, international experts and civil society representatives. The EU side noted that legislation currently in preparation by the Kyrgyz Republic seeking to restrict so-called “foreign agents” might impact the ability of the EU and other international donors to carry out cooperation activities in Kyrgyzstan.

The two sides discussed the empowerment of national human rights institutions, including the office of the Ombudsman in the Kyrgyz Republic. The EU emphasised the need to strengthen labour rights, including fully functioning labour inspections. The two sides also discussed ongoing work to combat corruption, and the important role of NGOs in taking this forward successfully. They exchanged views on the importance of comprehensive legislation covering all forms of discrimination and on addressing gender-based violence.

The Cooperation Committee was chaired on the EU side by EEAS Deputy Managing Director Luc Devigne and on the Kyrgyz side by First Deputy Foreign Minister Assein Issaev. The Human Rights Dialogue was chaired on the EU side by the EEAS Head of Division for Central Asia, Dietmar Krissler, and by First Deputy Foreign Minister Issaev on the Kyrgyz side.