BISHKEK, Kyrgyz republic –

Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), visited Kyrgyzstan on 13-14 April.

He held meetings with President Almazbek Atambaev, Toraga (Speaker) of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament), Asilbek Jeenbekov, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Abdyldaev. The SRSG also met with the representatives of civil society.

The SRSG renewed the readiness of the United Nations to continue its support to Kyrgyzstan in conducting free, transparent and democratic elections, and underlined the significance of the upcoming electoral cycle for further democratic consolidation in the country. He also stressed the readiness of the UN to provide further assistance in preparation of new legislation, especially related to minority groups and civil society, with the aim to ensure their full conformity with international norms and standards, including UN`s “Human Rights up Front” initiative.

The two sides exchanged views on current challenges in the region and ways to counter terrorism, extremism and drugs trafficking as well as reaching understanding in management of water and energy resources in Central Asia and underlined that they should be addressed in a cooperative manner with the neighboring states and other partners.