EU Vows To Increase Aid To Bishkek

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz in Brussels on September 17.

The chairman of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, says the European Union plans to increase its financial support to Kyrgyzstan.

Barroso spoke to journalists in Brussels after talks with visiting Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev on September 17.

Barroso said 30 million euros in macroeconomic aid will be disbursed soon to help Bishkek and that an additional 13.5 million euros will be allocated to support the rule of law.

He said an agreement signed on September 17 between the Kyrgyz government and the European Investment Bank will help support further EU investment in the country.

Atambaev also met with the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz.

Schulz told journalists after the meeting that a group of EU experts will visit Kyrgyzstan soon to assist in preparations for parliamentary elections in 2015 and a presidential poll in 2017.


Based on reporting by Akipress and Interfax