OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports cross-border bulletin for Kyrgyz and Tajik communities
BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan, 28 December 2012 - A bulletin for residents in the neighbouring provinces of Batken in Kyrgyzstan and Soghd in Tajikistan was launched in Batken today with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.
The publication is available in the Kyrgyz, Tajik and Russian languages. It seeks to highlight the historical and cultural affinity of peoples living in the region, and to address the legal and practical aspects of life near the border, which has not been fully delimitated and demarcated.
Some 5,000 copies will be distributed to people living on both sides of the border.
Yulia Minaeva, Officer-in-Charge at the OSCE Centre’s Osh Field Office, said: “The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is engaged in a wide range of activities designed to address the root causes of conflict. This bulletin will support the exchange of information and its creation also represents an important confidence-building measure, involving officials as well as civil society representatives and journalists from both Batken and Soghd provinces.”
The Plenipotentiary Representative of Kyrgyzstan’s Government in Batken province, Jenish Razakov, said: “I am convinced that the bulletin will serve as a bridge for the kindred Kyrgyz and Tajik peoples. I believe that a critical step has been taken in the history of the two provinces to raise the awareness of citizens living near the border, and that with the help of this publication we will be able to make our peoples closer and to strengthen the friendship between them.”
The OSCE Centre remains committed to promoting cross-border initiatives between the citizens of Batken and Soghd provinces to build confidence and help ensure peace and stability in the region.