Междупарламентарни заседания

The 16th EU-Kyrgyz Republic Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, 18-20 December 2023

From 18 to 20 December 2023, the Delegation for the relations with Central Asia, led by MEP Tomáš Zdechovský, paid a visit to Kyrgyzstan, the so called "hearth of Asia", to hold the 16th EU-Kyrgyz Republic Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. A functioning democracy and GSP+ beneficiary, Kyrgyzstan is a crucial partner of the EP parliamentary diplomacy, with regular contacts and open discussion about the state of the human rights in the country, its position vis-a-vis Russia and the war against Ukraine, the strengthening of the relations with the EU.

The European Parliament's Delegation had a variety of meetings with the vibrant Kyrgyz civil society, the Parliament, the Government, and paid a visit also to Osh to meet with teachers and students at the local University. This mission was a further step in the EP action on Central Asia, based on a variety of initiatives through the whole 2023.

20th EU-Republic of Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee - 13 November 2023

On 13 November 2023, the 20th EU/Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee took place in Brussels, co-chaired by MEP Tomáš Zdechovský and Ms Aigul Kuspan, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Kazakh Mazhilis.

At a very sensitive time for their bilateral relations, the two sides engaged on issues such as the increase of trade, the cooperation on energy, the joint action to mitigate the impact of climate changes, the situation in Central Asia including in Afghanistan, the record of human rights in Kazakhstan, the impact of the war in Ukraine and the position of the both the European Union and Kazakhstan on Putin's regime and on the actual implementation of sanctions to Russia.

Moreover, the Deputy Chairperson of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan and the Vice Speaker of the Senate of the Mazhilis joined for the official dinner of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and were part of the Central Asian Leaders Group hosted by the European Parliament on 14 November 2023.

16th EU-Mongolia Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, 30 October - 1 November 2023

From 30 October to 1 November 2023, the Delegation for the relations with Central Asia (DCAS), led by MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CS), paid a visit to Mongolia, a key partner of the European Union, with a vibrant Parliament and a very encouraging democracy. The European Parliament Delegation had a variety of meetings, including its counterparts in the Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia, the Speaker, the State Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other top government representatives.

The Delegation also had several direct contacts with the rich Mongolian society, such as meetings with students and teachers and the National University, with the highest Tibetan Buddhism authorities in the country, with many NGOs, and with beneficiaries of EU funded projects.

This mission is a further step in the EP dialogue with Mongolia, following two official Inter-Parliamentary Meetings that took place last year in Ulaanbaatar and then in Brussels, not to mention a number of high level visitors from Mongolia to the EP in recent months.

6th EU-Turkmenistan Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, 19-21 June 2023

The Delegation for the relation with Central Asia (DCAS) paid a visit to Turkmenistan on 19-21 June 2023. Chaired by Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CS), the mission held the 6th EU-Turkmenistan Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM), met government representatives, 22 civil society organizations, the office of Erasmus + Programme and also visited the city of Mary where the Delegation had meetings with the Mayor of Mary city and local authorities, local businesses and a new "Green City" project.

Being the first visit by the European Parliament since 2017, this mission focused on the state of play of the relationship with this Central Asian country, which still lacks - the only one in the region - a Partnership Cooperation Agreement with the EU. The Delegation focused its discussions with the local counterparts on the international situation and on Turkmen neutrality on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, on the alarming situation of human rights and Rule of Law, on the regional integration and on the situation in Afghanistan, and on the role of Turkmenistan as potential global energy supplier.

10th EU-Republic of Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee - 15-17 May 2023

The EP Delegation for the relations with Central Asia (DCAS) paid a visit to Tajikistan from 15 to 17 May 2023 to hold the 10th EU-Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, met with representatives of Civil Society and Human Rights defenders, had meetings with the Prime Minister, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice, Minister of Defense, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan. The delegation also visited factories and educational centers, and met and with representatives of the Afghan resistance in exile.

Chaired by MEP Andris Ameriks (S&D, Latvia) and composed by four other MEPs, the Delegation also paid a field visit to Bokhtar, close to the border with Afghanistan.

The visit took place at a crucial moment of the bilateral relations with Tajikistan, in view of the current Russian aggression to Ukraine, of the start of negotiations for an Enhanced Partnership Cooperation Agreement with the EU and of Tajikistan's application to GSP+ Trade treatment, of the decision of the country's Leadership to attend the 9 May celebration in Moscow with President Putin, of the risk of circumvention of sanctions to Russia and of the critical situation in Afghanistan.

16th EU-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) - 3-5 April 2023

The Delegation for the relations with Central Asia, chaired by MEP Thierry Mariani (ID, France) and composed of 4 Members, paid a visit to Uzbekistan on 3-5 April 2023. The mission took place at a very critical moment for the entire region and for the bilateral relations between Brussels and Tashkent, due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the forthcoming Constitutional Referendum in Uzbekistan, and the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Delegation held in Tashkent the 16th EU/Uzbekistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and had meetings with several Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The Delegation also paid a visit to the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and met with professors and students. Moreover, the European Parliament Delegation also traveled to Nukus and Muynak and assessed the current situation in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, after the July 2022 protests and casualties, and of the environmental disaster of the Aral Sea.
As usual, the European Parliament delegation delivered a message to support democratic reforms and the promotion of rule of law, human rights and accountability.

The 15th EU-Kyrgyz Republic Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, 8 December 2022

On Thursday, 8 December 2022, an important Delegation of the Kyrgyz Parliament, led by Ms Leila Lurova, Member of the Kyrgyz Parliament and the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for International Affairs, Defense, Security and Migration paid a visit to the European Parliament to conclude the 14th and to hold the 15th European Union-Republic of Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC), in a joint meeting with the Delegation for Central Asia (DCAS) which was led by the Vice Chair of the Central Asia Delegation, Ms Atidzhe Alieva-Veli (Renew, BG).

The draft agenda of the meeting covered following points:

  • Political situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union and overall bilateral relations between the European Parliament, including the situation in Ukraine and border issues with Tajikistan.
  • State of play of the EU-Kyrgyz Republic's cooperation.
  • Human rights, rule of law and social policy in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The 15th EU-Mongolia Inter‑Parliamentary Meeting took place on 13 June 2022

The 15th EU-Mongolia Interparliamentary meeting took place on Monday, 13 June 2022 at 17.30 in Brussels. The Mongolian Delegation was led by Mr. Tumurbaatar Ayursaikhan, MP, Vice Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia.

The agenda covered:

  • Exchange of views on current EU/Mongolia bilateral cooperation and international situation (including global security and impact of international sanctions and war in Ukraine)

The 9th EU-Republic of Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee on 12 May 2022

The 9th EU-Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
The 9th EU-Tajikistan PCC- 12 May 2022-Brussels.jpg © 9th EU-Tajikistan PCC meeting in Brussels - 12 May 2022.jpg © Brussels.JPG © European Union 2022 – EP/photographer
On 12 May 2022, an important Delegation of the Tajik Parliament, led by the Deputy Speaker, paid a visit to the European Parliament and held the 9th European Union-Republic of Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, in a joint meeting with the Delegation for Central Asia (DCAS).

Tajikistan is important partner of the European Union. The country is currently facing several challenges, such as the impact of international sanctions and the return of many Tajik migrants from Russia following the Moscow war against Ukraine, the critical situation in terms of human rights and a strong interest in joining the trade preferential scheme of GSP+.

Moreover, following the takeover of the Taliban, the country is hosting thousands of Afghan refugees and is committed to fight against the spreading of extremism and radicalism in Central Asia.

The 19th EU-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) on 11-13 April 2022

The 19th EU-Kazakhstan PCC - 12 April 2022
The 19th EU-Kazakhstan PCC - April 2022.jpg © The 19th EU-Kazakhstan PCC-12 April 2022-Brussels.jpg © 19th EU-Kazakhstan PCC meeting- April 2022.jpg © Brussels.JPG © European Union 2022 – EP
The European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Central Asia (DCAS) travelled to Nur-Sultan and Almaty, Kazakhstan for the 19th EU-Republic of Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) from 11-13 April 2022. The visit took place at a tragic time of fundamental threat to global security and provided an opportunity to discuss the war against Ukraine and democracies and the strong EU and EP condemnation of the Russian invasion. Moreover, the EP Delegation held meetings with government representatives and human rights defenders, following the EP resolution adopted in January 2022 on the violation of human rights in the country.

The European Parliament's Delegation was composed of the the Vice Chair Mr Andris AMERIKS (Latvia, S&D) who led the Delegation and Mr Francisco MILLÁN MON (Spain, EPP).