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By Trend

Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Sapar Isakov met with European Union (EU) Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, Kabar with reference to the the press service of the Kyrgyz Government reported.

The Kyrgyz prime minister thanked the European Union for the continued support of reforms in the country, in particular in the electoral system, education and the rule of law.

"The government has identified priorities in reforming for the near future. First of all, the reforms will be aimed at increasing the revenue side of the budget, creating an open and transparent system of public administration, including the availability and transparency of public procurement, effective state office, fair taxation and collection of customs duties and preventing corruption in all areas of interaction between the state and citizens," Sapar Isakov said.

From his part, Peter Burian noted the high level of presidential elections in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2017, and also dwelled in detail on the Government's 40 Steps to a New Era and Taza Koom programs.

"We watched with delight the presidential elections and praised the entire process. Dozens of countries still dream of such a system of elections using electronics. However, you could achieve this result in less than three years. We are ready to build and deepen partnership within the framework of government programs. These programs are a good ground for bilateral cooperation and serve for us as a direction to support. We, in turn, are ready to work to create friendly environment for Taza Koom in the training of relevant personnel within the Erasmus + program, to provide additional capacities in the development of trade and access to justice," Peter Burian added.

The sides also discussed the preparation of a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union, the second round of negotiations which will be held in late February of this year.

"We attach great importance to the development of the new Agreement. The government is ready for intensive negotiations. We are confident that the signing of the Agreement will allow us to take our relations to a new, higher-quality level," Sapar Isakov said.

"The European Union also confirms its readiness for more accelerated development of the Agreement. Much work has already been done on both sides. We attach great importance to regional cooperation and the issues of the country's digital agenda. Digitalization will create a transparent management system, this is what business and investors need today," the EU Special Representative said.

At the end of the meeting, the sides discussed in detail projects related to access to safe drinking water, education and the justice system.

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