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Resolution on the situation in Kyrgyzstan

2010/2656(RSP)

The European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing its deepest concern on the situation in Kyrgyzstan. The resolution had been tabled by the Greens/ALE, ALDE, S&D, EPP and ECR groups. It recalls that on 7 April 2010 Kyrgyz troops intervened using bullets, tear gas and stun grenades against a crowd of protesters who gathered in front of the presidential office in Bishkek and then stormed government buildings to demonstrate over a sharp increase in prices for electricity and heating, leaving more than 80 dead and more than 500 injured. They also note that Kurmanbek Bakiyev was re-elected last year for another term as president in an election that independent monitors said were tainted by massive fraud. After his initial democratic undertakings Bakiyev's rule turned authoritarian, he was forced to flee the capital and his place was taken by a provisional government. Parliament calls on all parties to stop violence, show restraint and make every effort so as to start a genuine dialogue aimed at bringing stability and provide the conditions for a peaceful return to a democratic constitutional order. It also calls for an UN-led international investigation into the events in order to identify responsibilities and shortfalls and provide the Kyrgyz judicial authorities with assistance and urges the provisional government to request the assistance of the OHCHR so as to ensure that investigations into the events of 6-7 April 2010 are thorough, impartial and credible.

Parliament welcomes the announcement of the provisional government that it will hold new general elections on 10 October 2010. Members stress the importance of active engagement with the provisional government, with a view to exploring possibilities to promote good governance, the independence of the judiciary and other EU policy objectives laid down in the Central Asia Strategy and also in order to facilitate the engagement and activities by international financial institutions.

Members call on the Council and the Commission to:

  • show coherence and assertiveness and to use this opportunity to find ways to assist the provisional government of Kyrgyzstan and help the authorities to pursue democratic reforms and improve peoples" lives through national development and the empowerment of citizens in cooperation with all the stakeholders and Kyrgyz civil society;
  • examine whether conditions for the launch of an internationally coordinated major new aid programme for Kyrgyzstan exist or can be created, taking into account not least how strong the Kyrgyz provisional government's actual commitment to democratisation and clean government appears to be. If it is deemed that sufficiently favourable conditions exist, the EU should take the lead in arranging an international donors" conference for Kyrgyzstan;
  • taking into account the current situation, to check if it is necessary to send urgent humanitarian aid.

Members also call for extensive use of the Instrument for Stability. They underline the need to assist Kyrgyzstan to overcome its social and economic problems, and ask the Commission to prepare proposals on the re-allocation of funds under the Development and Cooperation Instrument to help make sure that the short, as well as the medium-term, EU response to the new situation in Kyrgyzstan can be of an adequate size. Special priority should be given to the solution of problems in the fields of education, health and water supply. The resolution stresses that aid from the EU must accord with the efforts being made to fight corruption and expand education opportunities and with the better living conditions policy, thereby creating favourable conditions that act as a bastion against the development of extremist views.

Parliament goes on to draw attention to the fact that developments in Kyrgyzstan both influence and are influenced by regional and international developments. It is convinced that there are big overlaps between Russian, US and other interests, in particular in relation to Afghanistan and the growth of Islamic radicalism in the region, including in Kyrgyzstan. This should make it possible to limit geopolitical competition and look for synergies. Parliament believes that success in this would have wider positive effects on international relations and international security. It recalls that Kyrgyzstan attracts special interest from the US and Russia because of its strategic location near Afghanistan and adjacent to the Ferghana Valley, which geographically, politically and economically is in the middle of Central Asia. The Manas Transit Centre operated by the US military plays a key role in the Northern Distribution Network for supplies to the NATO troops in Afghanistan and Russia also has an important military base in Kyrgyzstan.

Lastly, Parliament looks forward to the review of the progress made in implementing the EU strategy for the region and calls for efforts in order to make it more credible, concrete and coherent.