OSCE supported early-warning meeting in southern Kyrgyzstan

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz State Border Service and the local government in Batken, southern Kyrgyzstan, conducted a meeting aimed at early-warning and conflict-prevention on May 16.

Some 40 representatives of law enforcement agencies, armed forces, the regional prosecution service and officials took part in the event to discuss border security issues, border-related conflicts and possible prevention mechanisms.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, Colonel Abdikarim Alimbaev, stressed the importance of interagency cooperation and coordination of their work in identifying root causes of conflicts and preventing escalation. He welcomed involvement of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in these efforts.

Participants emphasized the need to raise awareness among the local population in border areas on intergovernmental agreements and regulations relating to border crossing. They also stressed the importance of involving the youth in the prevention of violent extremism.

The meeting was held within the project "Enhancing the ability of the Kyrgyz Government to engage in regional cooperation in border security and management in 2015". The OSCE Centre in Bishkek has been developing early-warning and conflict-prevention mechanisms in close cooperation with the Kyrgyz State Border Service in the Fergana Valley since 2011.