EU likely to provide EUR 30 mln aid to Kyrgyzstan - R. Otunbayeva

BRUSSELS. March 2. KAZINFORM /Dimash Syzdykov/ The European Union can provide a EUR 30 mln aid to Kyrgyzstan if it resumes the programs of the International Monetary Fund. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva has said it at a briefing following her visit to Brussels.

According to the Kyrgyz President, her country faces budget deficit today. Despite the requests of the Kyrgyz side to the EurAsEC Bank and the request for financial aid to the CIS and EurAsEC, these issues are under consideration still.

"Today I have met with Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso who said that the EU would provide micro-financial assistance to our country to the amount of EUR 30 mln. Taking into account our situation and democratic aspiration of the Kyrgyz Republic and in case if we meet the conditions of the program with the International Monetary Fund, this issue will be considered positively," R. Otunbayeva said.

In his turn, Jose Manuel Barroso noted that the EU is one of the largest donors in Kyrgyzstan providing various support to this country, including humanitarian aid aimed at prevention of conflicts, development of education, etc. "Kyrgyzstan can also benefit from such programs as environmental protection, water resources management and many others," the EU official said.