OSCE-supported Kyrgyz State Border Service Press Centre opens in Bishkek

BISHKEK, 17 December 2015 – The first Kyrgyz State Border Service Press Centre, supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, opened today in the country’s capital, with the aim of enhancing internal and external communication between the Service’s border units, and in establishing the Service’s coherent and transparent approach towards the media and public.

Chairperson of the Kyrgyz State Border Service Colonel Raiimberdi Duishenbiev, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek Sergey Kapinos and some 25 media representatives participated in the event.

“In an era of the rapid development of information technology and globalization, it is particularly important for government agencies to be able to promptly provide accurate information to the population,” said Kapinos.

Colonel Duishenbiev said: “I am sure that the Press Centre will be able not only to promptly provide information from the field operations - thereby strengthening our co-operation with the media - but will allow us to communicate comprehensively about our border security to the local population as well.”

The Press Centre will have a multi-functional purpose: conducting press conferences, briefings, meetings with the media and liaising with border units across the country.

This year the OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported the Kyrgyz State Border Service in conducting a needs assessment on improving internal and external communication within the Service. The findings will serve as a basis for the media strategy, planned to be developed in 2016.

The Press Centre is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on enhancing the ability of the Kyrgyz Government to engage in regional co-operation in border security and management, and was especially built, equipped and designed to respond in timely fashion to conflict and crisis situations and prevent the escalation of possible conflicts and misinformation.