“We think that Manas airbase closure may not have positive effect on situation in Afghanistan,” the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel said at the narrow format meeting with Kyrgyz journalists that took place in Hyatt hotel in Bishkek Friday.
The EU special representative believes that Kyrgyzstan and European Union members should negotiate about possible consequences of the base shut down. He reportedly mentioned this issue while meeting the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov and the speaker of parliament Aitibai Tagaev earlier today.
“European citizens serve in Afghanistan and risk their lives every day, thereby Europe is also responsible for stabilization of Central Asian region and Afghanistan in particular,” Mr Morel said.
According to the EU official European counties were not aware of such a dramatic step taken by the Kyrgyz government, while this issue requires a thorough examination.
“We do respect the sovereign decision of Kyrgyzstan. However, there are issues that should be taken into consideration,” the EU special representative.
