Outcomes of the visit to Brussels                      Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic                            H.E. Ruslan Kazakbaev                           28 September 2021

Meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell

On September 28, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation and interaction at the international level. The parties also discussed problems related to regional security, including the situation in Afghanistan.

Ruslan Kazakbaev accented on the ongoing reforms in the country, as well as the upcoming parliamentary elections in the Kyrgyz Republic and noted the commitment of the Kyrgyz Republic to democratic values and continuing the course to the goals and principles established in international legal documents to which the Kyrgyz Republic is a party.

A special topic of discussion was the need to establishment of bilateral contacts at the highest level, as well as concluding a new Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union.

Josep Borrell noted the readiness of the European side to expand cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic on priority issues for both parties. He also expressed gratitude for the initiative to hold the First EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Bishkek as a major event for expanding trade and economic cooperation. J. Borrell highly appreciated the decision of the Republic to assist the people of Afghanistan through educational projects for Afghan women.

The Kyrgyz side noted the importance of adopting the Multi-Year Indicative Program and the Regional Indicative Program 2021-2027 and strengthening ongoing bilateral and regional programs. The project of creating a European university for Central Asia was also discussed.

Meeting with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi

On September 28, 2021, during a visit to Brussels the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi.

During the meeting, Minister R. Kazakbaev informed about the socio-political and socio-economic situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and the upcoming elections to the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Particular attention was paid to the prospects for further cooperation, within the framework of the implementation of the new initialled Agreement on Expanded Partnership and Cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU, as well as to simplifying the visa regime for entering the EU.

In this context, the parties discussed the possibilities of joint work on projects in the areas of connectivity, transport and energy.

The parties also separately discussed the details of the First EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, which will be held in Bishkek on November 5, 2021 at the level of the heads of governments of Central Asia with the participation of the European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis.

Meeting with the Commissioner for Crisis Management of the European Commission Janez Lenarcic

On September 28, 2021, during a meeting to Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Commissioner for Crisis Management of the European Commission Janez Lenarcic.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the socio-political situation in the Central Asian region and the situation in Afghanistan.

Minister R. Kazakbaev expressed gratitude to the EU for the provision of emergency aid within the framework of the joint EU "Team Europe" package in the amount of EUR 43.8 million.

The parties also separately discussed the epidemiological situation in the Kyrgyz Republic on the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19 and the process of vaccination of the population through the capabilities of the Global COVAX Mechanism, as well as the possibility of recognizing vaccination certificates issued by the health authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Meeting with the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Urban Rusnak

On September 28, 2021, during a visit to Brussels the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Urban Rusnak.

The parties discussed issues related to the modernization of the Energy Charter Treaty. Secretary General Urban Rusnak noted the importance of bringing the Energy Charter Treaty in line with the modern requirements of the global energy sector.

Parties exchanged views on further strengthening the interaction with the Charter in attracting investments in the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the Kyrgyz Republic and strengthening the country's energy security.

Minister R. Kazakbaev informed about the upcoming EU-Central Asia First Economic Forum, which will be held in Bishkek on November 5, 2021, and proposed to organize a separate side event by the Energy Charter.

Meeting with the Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the European Council Simon Mordue

On September 28, 2021, during a visit to Brussels the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the European Council Simon Mordue.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of bilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU.

Minister Kazakbaev informed about the current reforms in Kyrgyzstan and upcoming parliamentary elections to be held on November 28, 2021.

Simon Mordue confirmed the readiness of the European Union to expand partner relations with the Kyrgyz Republic.

Special attention was also given to the upcoming visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov to Belgium and meetings with the heads of European institutions. R. Kazakbaev conveyed an invitation to the President of the European Council Charles Michel to pay a visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2022.

Referring to the situation in Afghanistan and regional security issues, the parties discussed plans for cooperation in the implementation of educational projects for Afghan women, peacebuilding, countering drug trafficking, violent extremism and terrorism.

Separately, parties discussed the issue of vaccination of the population within the framework of the COVAX program and the recognition of vaccination certificates for the Kyrgyz Republic for unhindered entry into European countries.

The parties considered the implementation of projects in the field of environmental protection. The European side expressed interest in expert cooperation in the field of ecology.