OSCE Chairperson welcomes successful conduct of referendum, calls for large-scale assistance to Kyrgyzstan

ASTANA, 28 June 2010 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Secretary of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kanat Saudabayev, welcomed today the successful conduct of yesterday's referendum in Kyrgyzstan, and called on OSCE participating States and international bodies to develop a plan of large-scale assistance to the country.

"The referendum is a decisive step towards political stability and the restoration of constitutional order and political legitimacy," he said.

"The OSCE Chairmanship supports the preliminary assessment of the referendum by the mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. But holding the referendum is only the beginning of a hard path towards restoring the rule of law and furthering the democratic, social and economic development of Kyrgyzstan."

Saudabayev added: "The OSCE is keenly interested in seeing the situation in Kyrgyzstan return to a constructive framework, and calls on all the participating States and international bodies to develop a plan of large-scale assistance for the country. We believe timely, effective and co-ordinated actions by the international community will become an important factor in stabilizing the political situation, maintaining regional security and co-operation, ensuring sustainable economic development and fully protecting democratic foundations in Kyrgyzstan."

Today Saudabayev spoke on the telephone with Roza Otunbayeva, Kyrgyzstan's President for the interim period, discussing the next steps to be taken to solidify the progress towards political stability and economic development of the country.

Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship was represented in Bishkek during the referendum by Ambassador and Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council Kairat Abdrakhmanov. During his visit he met Otunbayeva, Acting Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbayev and the Deputy Head of the Provisional Government, Omurbek Tekebayev, as well as representatives of civil society, the diplomatic community and international organizations.