European Villages marked the 30st Anniversary of the EU-Kyrgyz Republic cooperation
On 10 May, to celebrate Europe Day, the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic organized “European Villages” – public events in Bishkek, Osh and Karakol, bringing together the EU and its Member States, the government of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as the general public. This year’s celebration also marked an important historic milestone – 30 years of bilateral cooperation between the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Mr Eduard Auer, the Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, noted: "Europe Day is held on 9 May every year to remember the Schuman Declaration in 1951 which started the Member States of the EU on the path towards peaceful cooperation and integration. While we celebrate this achievement, we must not forget the victims of the invasion of Ukraine which reminds us that the hope for sustainable peace on the European continent, which the Schuman Declaration embodies, is not yet achieved in all of Europe. The EU remains a close friend and a major development partner of the Kyrgyz Republic on its way to a democratic, inclusive, prosperous and digital future.”
The European Villages forecasted the main achievements of bilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU as well as present the culture of the countries of the EU and offer an outlook on plans for future cooperation. The visitors tasted traditional European cuisine, participated in a colourful show program and various competitions. The events were accompanied by the performances of prominent local artists - Tamga, Tolgonai Arzykeeva and Combo Band.
Mr. Aibek Moldogaziev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, in his opening speech said:
''The Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union share common interests in a variety of areas: from foreign policy to economic and trade relations, from security and counter-terrorism to border management, from employment to migration policy. We maintain a close and unbreakable partnership based on common democratic values, strong economic ties, and social and cultural relations. Kyrgyzstan highly appreciates the role of the European Union in promoting peace, human rights and prosperity in Europe and around the world".
This year, the European Village was held under the auspices of the EU’s new Global Gateway strategy – Europe’s offer for connecting the world through investments and partnerships. Countries need investment to create better living conditions for people, and to tackle today’s global challenges: climate change, global health security, and sustainable development.
About EU – Kyrgyz Republic cooperation:
Since 1991 the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU have developed extensive cooperation on a wide range of political, trade and financial subjects. Among other issues, the two sides have been implementing bilateral, regional and thematic programmes, which are guided by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Kyrgyzstan, the EU-Central Asia Strategy and the EU Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia. To note, in 2014-2020, the EU Delegation supported Kyrgyzstan the promotion of rule of law, the education sector and integrated rural development with 172 mln EUR. It is expected that the EU Delegation in Bishkek will allocate up to 62 mln EUR in the period 2022-24 to support the country's digital transformation, human development and the transition to a green and climate-resilient economy.
Photos from European Villages are available below:
Video overview of the EU Village in Bishkek is available here.