The development of relations between Kyrgyzstan and European countries opens the way for integration into the community of developed, democratic states. The implementation of this task can be carried out through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy channels.
It is important for Kyrgyzstan to participate in the pan-European process, particularly through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, with the aim of achieving high standards in promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms, strengthening the economy, addressing environmental issues, countering transnational threats, and enhancing regional security. In the interests of strengthening universal peace and security, and promoting deeper mutual trust between the main centers of world politics, Kyrgyzstan continues its cooperation with Western countries within the framework of NATO's "Partnership for Peace" program and other programs of the North Atlantic Alliance. The specific content of bilateral relations with European Union member states is focused on addressing the internal development tasks of Kyrgyzstan.
In bilateral relations in the European direction, it is a priority to deepen ties with Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and France. There is a need to activate the development of relations with Eastern European countries as well.
The development of military-technical cooperation with several states of the anti-terrorist coalition creates conditions for enhancing interaction with them in other areas, including trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian directions.
Kyrgyzstan — EU
The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic was signed in 1995 and entered into force on July 1, 1999, after ratification by the European Parliament, the parliaments of the member states, and the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyzstan became one of the first among the CIS countries (after Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus) with which the European Union signed a partnership and cooperation agreement. The agreement defined the main areas of cooperation in political, investment, economic, commercial, financial, legal, and cultural fields.
The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement provided for the development of a sustainable political dialogue between the parties by creating an institutional framework for regular contacts. Its goals included strengthening political contacts between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union, supporting political and economic changes occurring in the Kyrgyz Republic, enhancing security and stability by facilitating the harmonization of views on important international issues for both sides. The agreement created a legal basis for strengthening and expanding economic cooperation in twenty-five areas.
One of the important directions of the policy developed by the European Union towards Kyrgyzstan and other states in the Central Asian region has been the support of the political and economic reform processes in these states.
Over the years of partnership with the European Union, Kyrgyzstan has received about 200 million euros for the implementation of various programs and projects. The EU's TACIS program has become a mechanism for providing technical assistance to the country. From 1991 to 2004, the TACIS program allocated nearly 85 million euros for the implementation of projects in the Kyrgyz Republic. During the first phase of the TACIS program, which was designed for the period from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 2001, the main sectors included structural and institutional reforms, strengthening democracy, reforming education, agriculture, industry, energy, transport, and communications.
Cooperation with the EU offers Kyrgyzstan a number of strategic advantages. The implementation of the Great Silk Road projects and TRASECA will establish the "Europe — Asia" corridor, and then the EU and China will become clear advocates for the economic development of Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan.
