BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -

On 4-5 July, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Ambassador Miroslav Jenča visited Kyrgyzstan and held meetings with President Roza Otunbaeva, Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev, Vice Prime Minister Shamil Atakhanov, and Head of State Directorate for Reconstruction of the South Jantoro Satybaldyev, as well as with the representatives of political parties, civil society, national minorities and international community.

At his meetings the Special Representative underlined the key significance of upcoming presidential elections for further political stabilization and sustainable socio-economic development of the country. Positively assessing the peaceful development in Kyrgyzstan since June 2010 events, the Special Representative urged all political forces to demonstrate maturity and responsibility during the electoral process that needs to be held according to the law. The United Nations confirmed its readiness to continue supporting Kyrgyzstan in preparing and holding fair, transparent and democratic presidential elections.

The Special Representative also informed about the recent approval of projects within the UN Peace Building Fund in the sphere of preventing repetition of the tragic events, promoting peace and strengthening rule of law worth of 7 million USD.

During the visit the Special Representative was accompanied by Mr. Levent Bilman, Director of Policy and Mediation Division at Department of Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat in New York, who also informed of plans of the Organization to support strengthening the institute of mediation in Kyrgyzstan.