Continuing reforms critical to Kyrgyzstan’s stability, says OSCE Chairperson

BISHEK, 3 March 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today welcomed Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to restore stability and emphasized the need to continue reforms and promote democratic governance.

“Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to restore stability after last year’s tragic events are commendable, and I encourage the government to continue reforms, particularly ahead of the forthcoming presidential election,” he said, following a meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister, Almazbek Atambaev; Speaker of the Parliament, Akhmatbek Keldibekov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Turatbek Djunushaliev.

“We must address acute security concerns, including threats to border security. But ensuring long-term security in the country also requires reform of the police and judiciary, and policies to promote economic stability and respect for the rights of all members of society. It is essential to strengthen dialogue between the ethnic communities. The OSCE and its Centre in Bishkek actively supports Kyrgyzstan in meeting these challenges and fulfilling its OSCE and international commitments. The OSCE is in particular ready to support a national consultative mechanism on police reform and criminal justice.”

The Chairperson outlined the priorities of Lithuania’s 2011 Chairmanship, including advancing the settlement of unresolved conflicts and promoting media freedom, energy security and regional co-operation, as well as the follow-up process to the Astana Commemorative Declaration that was adopted by OSCE Heads of State and Government at the OSCE Summit in Astana in December.

“The Astana Commemorative Declaration represents the reaffirmation of the Organization’s core values and commitments at the highest level,” he said. “The Lithuanian Chairmanship will work with all participating States, including Kyrgyzstan, to realize the vision of a free, democratic, common and indivisible Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community.”

The meetings also focused on enhancing OSCE support to Kyrgyzstan, including through the Community Security Initiative, a project with the Ministry of Interior to support the local police in implementing democratic principles in their work and building trust with all communities, as well as through the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which will be conducting broad consultations shortly in Bishkek.

A delegation from ODIHR was in Bishkek last week to present recommendations ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 2011.

Ažubalis will also meet representatives of political parties, civil society and the diplomatic community during his visit to Bishkek. Earlier in the day he visited the OSCE Academy, a post-graduate institution for Central Asia, including Afghanistan. He discussed the Lithuanian Chairmanship and prospects for the Central Asian region with the students.