Foreign Affairs Minister of Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the newly appointed European Union’s Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala during her first visit to Kyrgyzstan in her new capacity. The Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
Ruslan Kazakbaev informed about the current internal political situation in the country in the context of ongoing reforms and electoral processes. He also introduced the main priorities of the country’s foreign policy. Terhi Hakala noted the need to intensify the bilateral dialogue. The Special Representative also expressed the readiness of the European Union to continue to support Kyrgyzstan in the ongoing reforms in the country.
The parties discussed joint plans for organizing high-level visits, the issue of signing an Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation, as well as the EU’s project and program activities in the Kyrgyz Republic and the region. They also touched upon the planned holding of the European Union — Central Asia forum on November 5, 2021.
«Security issues in Central Asia were also discussed, including the situation in the border area of the Kyrgyz Republic with Tajikistan and in Afghanistan. The European diplomat highly appreciated the diplomatic approach of the Kyrgyz Republic to resolving differences and welcomed the decision of the Kyrgyz authorities to issue 500 visas to Afghan students. Separately, the issue of joint efforts to combat the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, including the issue of vaccination of the population, was discussed,» the statement says.
