OSCE Chairman urges Kyrgyz authorities to prioritize fight against human trafficking and money laundering

BISHKEK, 29 March 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has urged Kyrgyzstan's authorities to make the fight against human trafficking and money laundering a top priority.

"There are clear links between these two problem areas and terrorism," Minister De Gucht said after meetings with the Kyrgyz President, Kurmanbek Bakiev, and key members of the country's Government, including Prime Minister Feliks Kulov and Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov.

Minister De Gucht stressed the importance of reforming the country's judicial system and police force. "The OSCE continues to stand ready to support these efforts," he said.

Equally important for the internal situation in Kyrgyzstan is harmony between the different ethnic communities and the country's regions, he said. He also discussed with the Kyrgyz authorities the holding of a referendum on constitutional reform before the end of this year.

Regarding the country's relationship with neighbouring countries, Minister De Gucht called for increased co-operation in the field of transportation. "I intend to organize a conference on energy issues in Brussels and would very much appreciate participation of Kyrgyzstan," he said, adding that the Belgian OSCE Chairmanship paid special attention to the problems faced by landlocked countries.

In his discussions, the Chairman-in-Office also stressed the rights of refugees. He said these should not be diminished and called on the Kyrgyz authorities not to extradite four Uzbek citizens to their home country, which they fled after the events of May 2005.

President Bakiev emphasized the very good level of co-operation between Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek on issues including the fight against corruption, and support for both legal and policing reform.

In his meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, the Chairman-in-Office emphasized the importance that Kyrgyzstan looked to the future and that its population felt the country was moving in the right direction: "In this context, it is very important to efficiently combat corruption. We cannot expect 100 per cent results, but we can expect 100 per cent commitment."

Talking to the Speaker of Parliament, Marat Sultanov, and other members of the legislature, the Chairman-in-Office also raised concerns regarding the forthcoming by-elections in three constitutiencies where criminal groups are running. "The influence of these people in the legislative system must be excluded by any means," he said.