OSCE Chairman's Personal Envoy visits Kyrgyzstan
(OSCE)The OSCE Chairman's Personal Envoy for Central Asia, Martti Ahtisaari (left), welcomed during his visit to Kyrgyzstan, June 2004. (OSCE) Photo details
BISHKEK, 30 November 2004 - The OSCE Chairman's Personal Envoy for Central Asia, Martti Ahtisaari, visited Kyrgyzstan on 29 and 30 November.
During meetings with Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov, he discussed further co-operation between the OSCE and Kyrgyzstan as well as joint projects in fields such as good governance, anti-corruption, education, human rights, environment and police reform.
"The OSCE Police Assistance Programme contributes to better collaboration between the state bodies and democratic institutions on fighting the threats of religious extremism, international terrorism, drugs and human trafficking," said President Askar Akayev.
Mr. Ahtisaari also expressed hope that next year's parliamentary and presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan would be properly organized, free and fair.
He also urged the Kyrgyz authorities to ratify the UN Optional Protocol against Torture and extend a moratorium on the death penalty that ends in December 2004.
During his visit, Mr. Ahtisaari also met representatives of NGOs, the media and students of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.
This was the second visit by the OSCE Chairman's Personal Envoy for Central Asia to Kyrgyzstan this year.
During meetings with Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov, he discussed further co-operation between the OSCE and Kyrgyzstan as well as joint projects in fields such as good governance, anti-corruption, education, human rights, environment and police reform.
"The OSCE Police Assistance Programme contributes to better collaboration between the state bodies and democratic institutions on fighting the threats of religious extremism, international terrorism, drugs and human trafficking," said President Askar Akayev.
Mr. Ahtisaari also expressed hope that next year's parliamentary and presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan would be properly organized, free and fair.
He also urged the Kyrgyz authorities to ratify the UN Optional Protocol against Torture and extend a moratorium on the death penalty that ends in December 2004.
During his visit, Mr. Ahtisaari also met representatives of NGOs, the media and students of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.
This was the second visit by the OSCE Chairman's Personal Envoy for Central Asia to Kyrgyzstan this year.