Kyrgyz president, European commissioner discuss developing cooperation in various areas

BISHKEK. March 17 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has met with European Commissioner Jozef Sikela, with whom he discussed key strategic cooperation issues, the Kyrgyz leader's press service said on Monday.

"We highly appreciate the constant support from the EU in democratic reforms and development of a stable and sustainable state in Kyrgyzstan," Japarov said.

The EU has been a reliable partner of Kyrgyzstan since the country gained independence, the president said.

The Kyrgyz leader offered to the European Union cooperation on green initiatives, natural disaster early warning systems, low-carbon development and transition to renewable energy resources. He also said the UN has declared 2023-2027 as years of action on the development of mountainous regions on Kyrgyzstan's initiative and with broad support from mountain partners.

In this context, Japarov called on the EU to join Kyrgyzstan's roadmap for sustainable development of mountainous regions as a donor.

Sikela highly appreciated the historical agreement on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as decisive for regional peace and reaffirmed the EU commitment to regional integration and connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.

"Kyrgyzstan has a huge potential in the renewable energy sphere, and the EU is ready to support projects that bring stable and lasting benefits to the region and use this potential. The initiatives agreed upon during my visit will definitely help with that," the European commissioner said.