Representative of EU Delegation visited Karakol

On 8 February, Mr. Jaap Ora, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Kyrgyzstan, visited the city of Karakol in Issyk Kul region.

Mr. Ora delivered a presentation to students and teachers of Issyk Kul State University about the EU conducted activities in Kyrgyzstan and met with principal of the university Kurmanbek Abdyldayev to discuss further cooperation.

Mr. Ora delivered a presentation to students and teachers of Issyk Kul State University about cooperation between EU and Kyrgyzstan, met the rector of the university Kurmanbek Abdyldayev and was introduced to different centres and faculties of the university. The university participates actively in the ERASMUS MUNDUS and TEMPUS programmes of the European Union and encourages its students to study in Europe. Exchange programmes exist for example with universities in Barcelona, Grenoble and Berlin.

Mr. Ora also met with Askhat Akibayev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government in Issyk Kul region. Mr Akibayev stressed the importance of developing entrepreneurship and enhancing cooperation among local businesses. Mr Ora emphasised the positive effect the World Nomad Games had on visibility of Kyrgyzstan in the world and to the development of the region.

In a meeting with the Mayor of Karakol, Daniyar Arpachiyev, Mr. Ora learned about the economic and social situation in the city. The role of tourism for generating jobs and income in Karakol and in the region was discussed, as well as the situation in the agricultural sector. At both meetings the importance of infrastructure development for the region was emphasised.

In his turn Mr. Ora informed about cooperation activities of the EU in the Kyrgyz Republic. He highlighted the GSP+ status, which allows Kyrgyz entrepreneurs to export most products to the European Union with no tax duties regime. Finally, Mr. Ora met with representatives of the active Civil Society in Karakol. They made suggestions how the efficiency of the EU provided assistance could be further improved and which sectors need attention.