17:53, 16 января 2024, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Tatyana KUDRYAVTSEVA
«Since democratic values are very important for the European Union, we constantly support them,» Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, said at a briefing today, commenting on the results of the visit of European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Shinas to the Kyrgyz Republic.
According to her, the context of the visit of the Vice-President of the European Commission was different and concerned more the preparation for the forum on January 29-30, 2024. But at all meetings with the authorities, EU representatives voice concerns, especially when it comes to freedom of speech and respect for human rights.
«And this was voiced by the Vice-President of the European Commission at all three meetings (with the President, the head of the Cabinet and the Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic. — Note of 24.kg news agency). There is a very clear position of the European Commission and the European Union on this issue. We have voiced it and there are no changes. Kyrgyzstan is traditionally considered a country that is known for its democratic traditions, where civil society and independent media play a big role. And we would like Kyrgyzstan to maintain its reputation as a country with an active civil society and equally developed civil society and independent media. So that it remains a country in which journalists can conduct professional activities. And this is a position that has been repeatedly voiced, and we still adhere to it to this day,» Marilyn Josefson concluded.