The Regionalised Delegation of the European Union in the KR

The Delegation of the European Commission in the Kyrgyz Republic

The European Union (EU) is represented in the Kyrgyz Republic by a Delegation of the European Commission, which is headed by a Charge d'Affaires, while the Head of Delegation resident in Almaty has concurrent accreditations to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Republic of Tajikistan.

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), Technical Assistance for the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS), the Food Security Programme (FSP), the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and Humanitarian assistance through ECHO.

The Development and Co-operation Instrument (DCI) is the instrument which replaces 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 new Commission's new strategy paper for Central Asia 2007-2013 provides the basis for the implementation of the DCI instrument in the Kyrgyz Republic during the coming six years. Once implementation rules have been fully adopted for the new instrument, the EC Delegation will organise a one-day-long conference in Bishkek, where it will introduce the new instrument. On the same occasion, the EC also shares lessons learnt related to TACIS instrument.

It is noteworthy that all funds under TACIS 2004, TACIS 2005 and TACIS 2006 budgets have not yet been committed, neither have all projects financed under the above-mentioned budgets yet started. Therefore the projects financed under DCI and TACIS instruments will run in parallel for the coming few years.

Further information on the DCI instrument in Central Asia on: click on the link

Technical Assistance in Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) is a European Union initiative which supports the process of transition to market economies and democratic societies in CIS countries. A dialogue-driven approach to programming addresses the different needs and priorities of the partner countries. In line with this approach, National Coordinating Units (NCU) have been established in the partner countries to participate more effectively into the programming of the EC technical assistance. In Kyrgyz Republic, the definition of TACIS priorities has taken into account EU/EC’s cooperation objectives and the country’s own policy agenda, including those set in the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) and the National Development Strategy. The following priority areas of cooperation have been identified: (1) Support for institutional, legal and administrative reform; (2) Support in addressing the social consequences of transition; and (3) Development of infrastructure networks.

During 1991 – 2006 the European Commission has provided grant assistance to Kyrgyzstan via TACIS instrument for an amount of approx. EUR 107,95 million.

Food Security Programme (FSP) promotes long-term food security, by improving agricultural productivity and competitiveness, while alleviating the impact of transition and reforms. The FSP focuses on the poorest of the population through budget support combined with technical assistance to the Ministries of Agriculture and the Ministry of Social Protection of the Kyrgyz Republic. The budgetary support amounts to EUR 8,5 million annually.

Further information on: click on the link

And on: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/projects/foodsec/index_en.htm

The European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is a programme which aim 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 Regionalised Delegation of the European Commission 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: click on link

And on:  http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/projects/eidhr/index_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 a im 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.

Since 1993 ECHO has provided humanitarian assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic with an amount of EUR 28.5 million, mainly in the field of medicine and food. ECHO’s assistance played a more important role in 1994 and 1995 helping people after floods and earthquakes. Some emergency food assistance was granted in 1998. ECHO has mainly provided drugs and medical supplies to the most vulnerable parts of the population, with a total 1999 budget of EUR 2.1 million.

Amount of the EC assistance in 1991 - 2006

The amount of the EC assistance in 1991 – 2006, per country and per instrument is published on: click on link

Other EC instruments and assistance

Certain measures, in particular in the area of security, conflict prevention and crisis management and resolution may also be supported under the future Instrument for Stability (IfS). Nuclear Safety will be covered under a specialised instrument.

For details of the European Commission's Delegation programs and activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, please visit the following website http://www.delkaz.cec.eu.int/

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

Regional Strategy Paper for Central Asia 2007-2013

Central Asia Indicative Programme 2007-2010