The Cooperation Council between the European Union (EU) and the Kyrgyz Republic held
its eighth meeting on Tuesday 18 July 2006. The meeting was chaired by the Head of the
Kyrgyz Delegation, Mr Daniar Toktogulovich Usenov, First Vice Prime Minister of the
Kyrgyz Republic.

The delegation of the European Union was led by Mr Pertti Torstila, Secretary of State at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for
Foreign Affairs, represented the Commission. The incoming German Presidency was
represented by Mr Ulrich Brandenburg, Deputy Political Director.

The Cooperation Council underlined its hope for EU - Kyrgyz Republic relations to further
strengthen, both politically and economically, in the framework of the Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement between the two Parties. It highlighted the possibilities that this
Agreement offers, if duly implemented, for further progress.

The Cooperation Council noted with concern the difficult situation the Kyrgyz Republic
currently faces, and welcomed the earnest efforts of the Kyrgyz authorities to address
pressing problems, such as widespread corruption and organised crime. It welcomed the
continuing growth of civil society and the responsible handling of protests and
demonstrations by the authorities, an exception in the region. But it emphasised continuing
engagement is needed to stabilise the political situation.
In this context, the Cooperation Council discussed the planned constitutional reform,
welcoming this initiative in the hope that it will result in a durable settlement that takes
into account all interests and preserves unity and democracy. As a necessary precondition,
it stressed the urgent necessity to strengthen the government’s administration and the
judiciary system, subject to deep-seated corruption.
The Cooperation Council underlined the constructive role of the OSCE in the Kyrgyz
Republic, and recommended that the authorities continue their collaboration with this
organisation, that both Sides are part of, with equal regard for all three ’dimensions’ it deals
with: security, economic-environmental and the Human Dimension.

The Cooperation Council reiterated its full endorsement of the courageous and constructive
role the Kyrgyz authorities played in facilitating the resettlement into third countries of
more than 400 Uzbek refugees. However, it expressed its strong concern over the fate of
the last four of these, urging the Kyrgyz side to respect its international obligations and
release them to UNHCR for resettlement.

The Cooperation Council underlined the importance of regional cooperation in Central
Asia as an effective means of conflict prevention and economic development in the region
and welcomed the increasingly active role the Kyrgyz Republic is playing in different
regional and bilateral initiatives.

Ref: 11773/06 (Presse 226)