EU/Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

The European Parliament adopted by 434 votes to 49, with 168 abstentions, a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kyrgyz Republic, of the other part.

Despite the shared interests in strengthening the EU-Kyrgyzstan important political and trade relations, Members are concerned by the deteriorating situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the context of the completion of negotiations and the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA).

Parliament called on the Kyrgyz authorities, in this context, to respect and uphold fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of the media and freedom of expression, and to foster an environment of cooperation and participation of civil society and local communities in public consultations and decision-making processes.

The resolution underlined the importance of Parliament's close contribution to monitoring the implementation of all aspects of the EPCA and called for both parties to the agreement to carry out, within the next two years, an effective assessment of the implementation of its key elements, based on clear human rights criteria and a specific timetable.

Members hope that ahead of the EPCA vote in the European Parliament and its subsequent implementation, the Kyrgyz government will take concrete steps to address the concerns outlined in the report, such as the release of political prisoners and the repeal of recently adopted repressive legislation. A negative assessment of the implementation of these essential elements could lead to the triggering of Article 316 of the EPCA.

EU-Kyrgyzstan relations

Recalling that Kyrgyzstan is the Union's third largest trading partner in Central Asia, Members reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate with the country and its partners in Central Asia to ensure peace, security, stability, prosperity, democracy and sustainable development.

The resolution stressed the need to:

- collaborate in promoting ecological initiatives based on a sustainable market economy, innovation in the private sector and long-term environmental management, early warning systems for natural disasters, low-carbon development and the transition to renewable energy sources;

- promote joint cooperation initiatives in strategic areas such as energy infrastructure, particularly in the hydroelectric sector, sustainable development and culture;

- strengthen cooperation on critical raw materials, which have been identified as being of strategic importance;

- strengthen academic, cultural and professional exchanges.

Parliament expressed concern, given the widespread corruption in Kyrgyzstan, about the transparent and effective use of the EU's EUR 98 million in aid for the period 2021-2027. It also strongly condemned the Kyrgyz authorities' decision to abolish the independent torture prevention monitoring body.

Regional cooperation and global challenges

Parliament considered Central Asia to be a region of strategic interest for the Union with regard to security, connectivity, energy diversification, conflict resolution and the defence of the rules-based multilateral international order. It encouraged the Union to strengthen its collaboration with Central Asia on political, economic and security issues, in accordance with the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It stressed the need to strengthen dialogue and collaboration on foreign policy and security issues, including cybersecurity, regional stability, crisis management, disarmament and arms control, in accordance with the principles of international law and the UN Charter.

The resolution deplored Kyrgyzstan's failure to condemn Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, noting with concern the neutral position of Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region regarding the conflict.

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law

The resolution encouraged Kyrgyzstan to:

- adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that includes sexual orientation, gender, disability and ethnicity as protected categories;

- continue efforts to eliminate gender-based and domestic violence;

- ensure that freedom of religion or belief is protected in the country;

- develop a national action plan for human rights with the participation of civil society;

- unconditionally release all imprisoned or wrongly detained journalists, bloggers and activists;

- ensure respect for the principles of free and fair elections by protecting the rights to stand for election and campaign;

- refrain from politically motivated prosecutions against the political opposition and dissenting voices and guarantee the right to peaceful assembly;

- revoke the Russian-style law on ‘foreign representatives’ and respect and protect media freedom and pluralism;

- repeal the ‘false information’ law and the law prohibiting ‘LGBT propaganda’;

- protect journalists and non-governmental organisation workers and activists from intimidation and harassment;

- strengthen the rule of law, the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in accordance with international standards.

Lastly, Parliament called on the EEAS and the EU delegation to Kyrgyzstan to conduct active public diplomacy and to address false narratives disseminated by the Kyrgyz authorities, in particular information that distorts the values​​ and policies of the Union.