OSCE Centre supports political parties' debate on local self-government reform in southern Kyrgyzstan
OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 13 November 2009 - Representatives from political parties, local and central authorities, non-governmental organizations and experts debated public administration reform and the role of local self-government in democratic societies during a roundtable meeting organized today by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.
"Bringing political power closer to the people is one of the driving forces behind Kyrgyzstan's recent and significant Public Administration reform," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.
"Local self-government, by definition, reflects local communities' wishes and needs. This is why the OSCE supports an inclusive debate regarding local government reform. A wide variety of political parties contributed their views on the reforms at this meeting," he said.
The roundtable discussion concluded with the adoption of recommendations, which will be forwarded to relevant authorities.