On 8th June 2017, the 4th meeting of the European Union – Central Asia High Level Political & Security Dialogue took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs participation. This high level meeting was held at the level of Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, hosted by the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Ms. Dinara Kemelova and chaired by Mr. Jean-Christophe Belliard, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs – Political Director for the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The participants exchanged views on a number of key issues, including counter-terrorism and violent extremism, border management and drug trafficking, and reviewed possibilities for reinforced cooperation in these areas. BOMCA 9 Programme together with two other regional programmes of the EU in Central Asia (CADAP 6 and EU-ACT) was invited to take the floor and update on mid-term achievements of BOMCA 9 Programme.

As it was mentioned by Mr. Jean-Christophe Belliard later on, the EU proposed to Central Asia countries to extend BOMCA 9 Programme with additional funding 1.6 million euro until the end of 2019. Kazakhstan already expressed agreement to BOMCA 9 extension.

On 9 June 2017, Mr Jean-Christophe Belliard and the EU delegation had a short tour in “Ak-Zhol” border crossing point (BCP), guided by the State Border Service of Kyrgyzstan, and BOMCA 9 Regional Manager. EU-BOMCA provided support to construction of this BCP in amount EUR 769 955 in 2005 – 2008).