In Kyrgyzstan, OSCE Chairperson stresses need for urgent restoration of stability and rule of law, resolving acute social and economic problems

BISHKEK, 20 April 2010 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, during a visit to Bishkek today to assess the situation and develop ways of overcoming the political crisis in Kyrgyzstan, reiterated the OSCE's readiness to further support efforts to restore public order and the rule of law in the country.

"This was the goal of the consolidated effort by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, the US President Barack Obama and Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev with active mediation by the OSCE and other international partners, aimed at securing the departure of Mr. Bakiyev from the country, which helped prevent further escalation of tensions and a civil war in Kyrgyzstan. Now the interim government has opportunities for taking effective measures to establish public order and resolve social and economic problems faced by the people of Kyrgyzstan," said Saudabayev.

"The work of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson-in-Office and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre in Kyrgyzstan, in close co-ordination with the special representatives of the UN and the EU, and my visit today demonstrate the importance our Organization attaches to stabilizing the political situation in the country and its further democratic development. The OSCE is committed to further working closely with all international stakeholders in these important processes."

Prior to the visit, Saudabayev held consultations with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, Foreign Minister of Spain as the current EU Presidency Miguel Moratinos, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. "We are all united in understanding that first of all it is necessary to ensure stability, rule of law and improve the quality of life of the people, which is a prerequisite for further successful development of Kyrgyzstan," said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

"Our Organization has extensive experience and a unique set of instruments to contribute to dealing with a multitude of post-crisis challenges facing Kyrgyzstan, and is ready to use all of its potential to do so. The areas where the OSCE could provide assistance include public safety, legislative reform, electoral assistance, targeted economic and environmental activities."

It was noted during the meetings that monitoring the situation with human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kyrgyzstan is another important area which the OSCE could support, including through its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Office of the Representative for Freedom of the Media.

The Chairperson emphasized the importance of legitimizing the interim government as soon as possible, which would create a foundation for effective interaction with the international community.

Saudabayev met the Head of the interim government, Roza Otunbayeva, key members of the interim government, leaders of political parties, non-governmental organizations, parliamentarians, as well as heads of diplomatic missions of the OSCE participating States, the UN and the EU representations.