Europos Parlamento narės Laimos Andrikienės, EP rinkimų stebėjimo misijos Kirgizijoje vadovės, ataskaita EP Užsienio reikalų komitete (2017 11 20).

Kviečiame žiūrėti anglų kalba:

Laima Andrikiene MEP (EPP, Lithuania), 
Head of the European Parliament Delegation to the International Election Observation Mission to Kyrgyzstan - Presidential elections 
DEBRIEFING ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KYRGYZSTAN OF 15 OCTOBER 2017
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
European Parliament 
20 November 2017

• Dear colleagues. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to brief you on the work of the European Parliament delegation that observed the presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan last month.

• I had the honour to lead a six-member delegation and I would first like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their support and excellent cooperation during our time in Kyrgyzstan. I would like to cordially thank our secretariat and all supporting staff for their dedication and hard work.

• Kyrgyzstan has long been considered as the most open and democratic country in Central Asia and the European Parliament has been observing elections in the country since 2005. This is a clear sign we think Kyrgyzstan is a unique example in the region, and that its democratic course should be encouraged.

• However, these elections were particularly significant, first of all, because they contributed to the strengthening of democratic institutions by providing an orderly transfer of power from one elected president to another. The election was truly competitive, there was real uncertainty about the result and we were anticipating the possibility of a second round.

• In the end Mr Sooronbay Jeenbekov, the candidate favoured by outgoing President Atambayev, won in the first round with 55% of the vote. His nearest rival, Mr Omurbek Babanov, obtained 34.5% of the vote. The turnout rate - 56.32%. 

Mr Babanov complained of many irregularities in the conduct of the election; however, he did concede defeat with the words “the people have spoken”. This response is very encouraging. Though, just last week we learned that Mr Babanov stepped down as leader of the largest opposition faction in Parliament, and this announcement came in the wake of a criminal investigation being opened against him.

• One other striking feature of the elections is that - unlike in many other parts of Central Asia - President Atambayev respected the constitution restricting him to one term and is stepping down. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how active he will be in the future with his favoured candidate replacing him as President.

• Babanov’s visit to the neighboring Kazakhstan and the fact that Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev received him caused tensions between the two countries; consequences of them are still visible.

• The European Parliament delegation was part of a joint International Election Observation Mission with the OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Council of Europe. As usual, we were involved in the drafting of the preliminary statement that was presented at the press conference. You have received a copy of that in your dossiers.

• Prior to Election Day, we met in Bishkek with Prime Minister Sapar Isakov and Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldaev, as well as with the election authorities, political parties, media and civil society and of course with our ambassadors. In these meetings we familiarised ourselves with the situation ahead of the elections.

• On Election Day, we divided into three teams, deployed in Bishkek, Balykchy and Kara Balta, covering both urban and rural areas. We observed voting from the opening to the closing of activities, as well as the vote count.

• We welcomed the competitive nature of the elections, the broad choice offered to voters and the opportunity for candidates to campaign, in general, freely. Nevertheless, a number of issues that we saw in the campaign and on Election Day caused us concern. These concerns had already been raised by our colleague Mr Panzeri, chair of DROI, prior to our travel to Bishkek.

• We were disturbed at the reports of undue restrictions placed on media freedom, in particular the defamation claims against journalists, which adversely affected public debate and resulted in self-censorship. Even though TV debates were organised, which contributed to greater pluralism, television overall did not provide sufficient and unbiased news coverage of the campaign.

• We welcomed the important role played by civil society in civic and voter education, which increased the transparency of the electoral process. However, we also heard reports of increasing pressure placed on civil society in recent years; and we were particularly unhappy to hear about several criminal cases and the imprisonment of members of the opposition. 

The campaign has been marred by a criminal conviction handed down to opposition Ata-meken (Fatherland) party leader Omurbek Tekebaev in August after a trial his backers say was politically motivated. 

Few days prior to the election day, the Kyrgyz state security service arrested opposition lawmaker Kanatbek Isaev, one of the nominees for the presidential election, on accusations of planning rioting before and after the country’s upcoming presidential election. According to the security service, Isaev was planning a coup in the event that opposition candidate and former Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov loses the election. The Prosecutor-General’s Office announced the opening of the criminal case against Mr Isaev.

• All of the above concerns extend beyond the actual election period and it is essential that we in the EU continue to support the cause of democracy and freedom in Kyrgyzstan. These elements are part of our regular dialogue with Kyrgyzstan, and under the EU’s special incentive for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+). I have already written to Mr Lange, INTA Chair, explaining related problems and our concerns.

• The growing importance of EU-Kyrgyzstan relations was underlined shortly before we travelled to Bishkek when it was announced on 9 October that the Council had adopted a mandate for the Commission and the HR/VP to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with the Kyrgyz Republic. The partnership will be based on a shared commitment to strengthen democracy, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and the promotion of sustainable economic development. The EP will be monitoring this process and will be required in due course to ratify the agreement. 

The context of developing EU-Kyrgyzstan relations is the following: Russia is the Kyrgyzstan’s strategic and economic partner, while China is the main trade partner, with 49 per cent of Kyrgyz foreign debt being owned by China. Bishkek strongly supports China’s One Belt, One Road strategy, however the pervasive anti-Chinese sentiments predominate within the society. During the recent election campaign relations with Kazakhstan sharply deteriorated.

• Exactly a month after the announcement of the negotiating mandate, on 9 November, HR Mogherini visited Bishkek and reiterated the EU’s continued support to the reform processes in the Kyrgyz Republic. She also called for the full implementation of the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission.

• The EU must also play its part and be fully committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan in implementing all these vital reforms. And - speaking as First Vice Chair of the Delegation for relations with Central Asia - I will do everything to ensure that our Parliament plays a key role in this.

Thank you for your attention.

Skaitykite čia, mūsų bibliotekoje:

VALUES AND POLITICS
(2008)