OSCE Chairperson calls for dialogue following incident in southern Kyrgyz-Uzbek border region

KYIV, 7 January 2013 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Leonid Kozhara, called today for restraint and dialogue following an incident between residents in the southern border region of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

“I welcome the release of the people who had been held. I urge all those involved to exercise restraint and act responsibly,” he said.

“Issues must be resolved in a peaceful manner, through dialogue. The OSCE stands ready to facilitate this process upon request and in line with its mandate.”

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office will continue to follow the situation closely.

The OSCE has a Centre in Bishkek, including a field office in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken province, as well as the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.