The Delegation of the European Union in the KR

The Delegation of the European Union in the Kyrgyz Republic

The European Union (EU) is represented in the Kyrgyz Republic by a Delegation of the European Union which is headed by Ambassador Mrs Chantal Hebberecht.

EU Assistance

The EU has been providing assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic in the implementation of political and economic reforms since the Kyrgyz Republic gained sovereignty in 1991. Both EU and the Kyrgyz Republic have mutual interest in intensifying of bilateral relations. Since 1999 a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) has been the legal framework for EU-Kyrgyz Republic bilateral relations since 1999. The PCA is a bilateral agreement which reflects the full spectre of the relations between the European Community and the Kyrgyz Republic, including political and economic cooperation. The objective of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in the transition to the market economy and to establish closer links with the European countries.

The Partnership and Co-operation Agreement was signed on 9 February 1995 and entered into force on 1 July 1999. As a result, on 20 July 1999, EU-Kyrgyzstan Cooperation Council held its first meeting, after which annual meetings at ministerial, parliamentary and civil servant levels have taken place regularly.

At the moment, the relationship between the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic is primarily expressed in the form of technical assistance to Kyrgyz Republic as well as assistance with creation of sufficient food reserves and provision of humanitarian aid.

The main assistance instruments applied by the European Commission in the Kyrgyz Republic are: Development and Co-operation Instrument (DCI), the Instrument for Stability (IfS), the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and Humanitarian assistance through EU's humanitarian office ECHO.

The Development and Co-operation Instrument (DCI) is the instrument which replaced TACIS as the main community assistance instrument to the Central Asia as of beginning of 2007.

The main objective of cooperation under the DCI instrument is the eradication of poverty in partner countries and regions in the context of sustainable development, including pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the promotion of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights and for the rule of law.

The EU's strategy paper for Central Asia 2007-2013 provides the basis for the implementation of the DCI instrument in the Kyrgyz Republic during six years.

Further information on the DCI instrument on: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/dci_en.htm

Instrument for Stability (IfS) is a strategic tool designed to address a number of global security and development challenges in complement to geographic instruments. In force since 1 January 2007, it replaces several instruments in the fields of drugs, mines, uprooted people, crisis management, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Further information on the IfS instrument on: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/ifs_en.htm

The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is a programme which aims at promoting human rights, support penal reform and prisoner’s rights, democracy and good governance, media freedom, rule of law and security structures (police/armed forces), as well as conflict prevention. The Delegation of the European Union in Bishkek regularly launches calls for proposals where it seeks non-profit making non-governmental local organisations to implement the projects under the defined theme(s).

Further information on:

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/eidhr_en.htm

The Humanitarian aid department of the European Commission (ECHO) provides funding in the immediate aftermath of natural or manmade disasters, as well as in conflicts, with the aim to save lives. ECHO funds European humanitarian organisations, UN agencies and the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies. The assistance is provided in the form of supply of medical personnel and equipment, medications, tents, food, various types of materials and essential equipment, generators and fuel for humanitarian actions.

Further information on:
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/aid/asia/kyrgyzstan_en.htm

Further information

For details of the European Commission's Delegation programs and activities in the Kyrgyz Republic please visit the following website http://ec.europa.eu/delegations/kyrgyzstan

For details of EU programs and activities worldwide, please visit EU's central website http://europa.eu/

Regional Strategy Paper for Central Asia 2007-2013 is available on www.eeas.europa.eu/central_asia/rsp/07_13_en.pdf

Central Asia Indicative Programme 2007-2010 is available on www.eeas.europa.eu/central_asia/rsp/nip_07_10_en.pdf

Central Asia Indicative Programme 2011-2013 is available on www.eeas.europa.eu/central_asia/docs/2010_ca_mtr_en.pdf