The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Kyrgyzstan and the Central Asian Republics, particularly that of 14 March 2002,

–  having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which entered into force in 1999,

–  having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, which have been signed but not ratified,

–  having regard to the Commission’s Strategy Paper on Central Asia 2002-2006,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas disputed elections have recently taken place in all five Central Asian Republics, with the reports of the international observers stating clearly that they did not meet international standards,

B.  whereas the massive protests that took place in Kyrgyzstan after the two general election rounds of 27 February and 13 March 2005 brought down President Askar Akayev, who signed a letter of resignation on 4 April after fleeing to Moscow,

C.  whereas on 11 April the newly elected Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, which had been confirmed by the Central Electoral Commission, voted to accept Akayev’s resignation,

D.  having regard to the decision of interim Prime Minister and acting head of state Kurmanbek Bakiev to hold new presidential elections on 10 July,

E.  stressing that the present situation and the relevant electoral process in Kyrgyzstan constitute a test case which, if successful, could bring about or pave the way for the necessary democratic changes and institutional and economic reforms in all the other countries of Central Asia,

F.  highlighting the important role played during the crisis by Kyrgyzstan’s lively civil society,

G.  deeply concerned at the suspicious reactions of the governments of the other Central Asian Republics to the events that have taken place in Kyrgyzstan,

H.  underlining the strategic importance of the Central Asian Republics as regards energy supplies and security matters,

1.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to assist and support the newly appointed authorities of Kyrgyzstan in the difficult task of preparing for and laying down the basic conditions to ensure that the forthcoming presidential election are free and fair;

2.  Urges the Commission to find ways to upgrade the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Kyrgyzstan and adjust it to the new situation, defining democratic and economic benchmarks such as should lead to enhanced relations;

3.  Calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to make every effort to start a real process of democratisation of the country based on a genuine multi-party system and respect for human rights and the rule of law; calls, in this connection, for the launching of an inclusive process of constitutional reform aimed at ensuring that the previous power system does not continue with a changed set of participants;

4.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to define and adopt a Common Strategy for the Central Asian Republics in order to establish a comprehensive and coherent short- and medium‑term approach for the whole region;

5.  Urges the Commission to strengthen TACIS democracy programmes in Central Asia with the aim of strengthening civil society and supporting an open and transparent institution‑building process;

6.  Calls on the Commission to include the Central Asian Republics in the priorities of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights;

7.  Urges the Council and the Commission to include the Central Asian Republics in the EU‑Russia summits so as to define a common approach to the region and actively involve the Moscow authorities in the process of reform that these countries must undertake;

8.  Considers regrettable the recent changes to legislation on NGOs’ funding adopted by the authorities of Kazakhstan, which raise concerns of increased state pressure, and the inspections of more than 30 NGOs launched by the Kazak general prosecutor’s office;

9.  Expresses its concern at the widespread use of torture in Uzbekistan, the limitations on freedom of expression and the increased pressure on civil society; reminds the Uzbek authorities that the fight against terrorism cannot be conducted at the expense of human rights;

10.  Firmly condemns the continuing repression in Turkmenistan, and calls on the Council to raise the question of the dictatorship in that country in all the competent international bodies with a view to defining and adopting common actions which could lead to international sanctions against the regime;

11.  Views as regrettable the massive irregularities which took place at last February’s general elections, and calls on the government of the country to take the necessary measures to prevent this from happening again and to lay down the foundations for the necessary democratic reforms;

12.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the Presidents, Governments and Parliaments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the President of the Russia Federation and the Duma, and the OSCE.