Chairman-in-Office offers support to Kyrgyzstan's reform path

BISHKEK, 7 April 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, making the third stop on his week-long trip to Central Asian States, discussed co-operation with the OSCE during a meeting today with the President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev.

The hour-long talks focused on the existing activities of the OSCE in Bishkek, including the OSCE Academy and the police assistance programme, as well as future support on elections and regional co-operation.

The Chairman-in-Office also met the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister, Askar Aitmatov, as well as Altay Borubayev and Abdygany Erkebayev, the Chairmen of the Upper and Lower Chambers of Parliament, respectively.

In his talks with President Akayev, Minister Passy emphasized his satisfaction with the good level of co-operation the OSCE enjoys with Kyrgyzstan, reviewing the Organization's role in democratization, the fight against corruption and all forms of trafficking, as well as its coming involvement in the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2005.

"There are many examples that could be used in other parts of the region, such as Kyrgyzstan's suspension of the death penalty and its reduction of capital crimes, which are hopeful signs leading towards its total abolition. Another move deserving of praise is its transfer of the prison system from the Interior Ministry to the Ministry of Justice.

"This is part of the overall reform of the criminal system which we are supporting through the OSCE's policing project, successfully begun last year with the co-operation of the Government and the police authorities."

The Chairmanship, he added, was also pleased with the progress of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, including the launch of a higher education programme that specializes in training students in international conflict management and negotiating skills. "I am pleased to see education in general is given a high priority by Kyrgyzstan", Minister Passy noted. "It also appears very high on our own agenda for the Chairmanship."

Turning to regional co-operation, he responded to the President's invitation to the OSCE to support further developments by stressing the Organization's willingness to expand and deepen its work in this area: "We want to help the region as a whole, through our unique network of five Centres, so that all countries can develop at a similar pace towards stability based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Later the Chairman-in-Office held a meeting with representatives of non-governmental organizations and spoke to the first intake of students at the OSCE Academy, where he also opened an art exhibition and met members of the local media.