Dastan Dzhumabekov receives EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian

Bishkek, Nov. 30, 2018. /Kabar/. Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz Parliament) Dastanbek Dzhumabekov received Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Peter Burian, the press service of the Parliament reported.

In his welcoming speech, Dzhumabekov told that the years of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union (EU) were effective. The Speaker stressed that Kyrgyzstan gives priority to cooperation with such partner as the EU and appreciates the assistance aimed at developing democracy in the country. The sides stressed the importance of signing a new draft Agreement on expanded partnership and cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU.

Referring to the interaction of the Jogorku Kenesh and the European Parliament, Dzhumabekov recalled that in May of this year the 13th meeting of the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee was held in Brussels. The next 14th Kyrgyzstan-EU Committee meeting will be held in the first half of 2019 in Bishkek, at which the participation of MEPs is expected. As part of the work of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic with the European Parliament, issues of cooperation in the field of security, combating extremism and terrorism, maintaining the environment and managing water resources are being discussed.

The Speaker highlighted the support of the European Union in improving the electoral system and social programs, including the Taza Suu project.

In turn, Burian thanked for the warm welcome, noting that the cooperation between the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic is dynamic. In particular, the visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov to Brussels in April contributed to this. Peter Burian noted that the EU supports projects aimed at reforming the judicial and legal systems, as well as in the social sphere.

In conclusion, the Speaker of the Parliament expressed hope for further close cooperation and declared his readiness to receive a delegation of the heads of the EU institutions as part of their visits to Kyrgyzstan.