President Ratifies Enhanced Agreement Between EU and Kyrgyz Republic

Bratislava, May 14 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini has ratified the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union (EU) and its member states and the Kyrgyz Republic, TASR has learnt from the president's website. Pellegrini ratified the agreement on May 9. "The agreement represents an important step toward strengthening political and economic cooperation between the EU and Central Asia. By deepening political dialogue and enhancing cooperation across a wide range of areas, it will serve as the foundation for more effective bilateral cooperation between the EU and its member states and the Kyrgyz Republic," the document states. The agreement also regulates cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, education, science, research, the environment, health, employment, transport and security cooperation. It also addresses issues of legal cooperation, the rule of law, money-laundering and terrorism financing, organised crime and corruption. The Enhanced Agreement is set to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities, their member states, and the Kyrgyz Republic, which entered into force on July 1, 1999. lin/df