ARTICLE 299

Regional policy and cross-border cooperation

The Parties shall support and strengthen the involvement of local and regional level authorities in regional policy cooperation and cross-border cooperation, in order to promote mutual understanding and information exchange, develop capacity building measures, promote establishment of relevant structures and legislative framework and strengthen cross-border economic and business networks.

ARTICLE 300

Cross-border cooperation in other areas

The Parties shall strengthen and encourage development of cross-border cooperation in other areas covered by this Agreement such as trade, transport, energy, water, environment, climate change, communication networks, culture, education, research, tourism, and border security.

ARTICLE 301

Sustainable connectivity

The Parties shall promote sustainable connectivity in the region of Central Asia and beyond. To that end, the Parties shall cooperate on issues of common interest, to advance connectivity strategies and initiatives that are economically, fiscally, environmentally and socially sustainable in the long term and aligned with internationally agreed rules and regulations.

ARTICLE 302

Cooperation in the area of legislative approximation

1. The Parties consider that an important aspect of strengthening the links between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union is a gradual convergence of existing and future legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic with that of the European Union. The Kyrgyz Republic will aim to gradually make its legislation compatible with that of the European Union, in agreed areas covered by this Agreement.

2. This cooperation shall be aimed at, inter alia, developing the administrative and institutional capacity of the Kyrgyz Republic, to the extent necessary to implement this Agreement and to carry out the necessary structural reforms and legislative approximation, as applicable.

ARTICLE 303

Technical assistance

The European Union shall endeavour to provide the Kyrgyz Republic with technical assistance for the implementation of the measures referred to in Article 302, by means of inter alia:

(a) the exchange of experts;

(b) the provision of early information especially on relevant legislation;

(d) training activities, including online.

ARTICLE 304

Financial and technical assistance

1. With a view to achieving the objectives of this Agreement, the Kyrgyz Republic may receive financial assistance from the European Union in the form of grants and loans, possibly in partnership with the European Investment Bank and other international financial institutions. The Kyrgyz Republic may also receive technical assistance.