BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan –

Promoting reform process, building a justice-based national consensus and strengthening political responsibility are essential for future stability and reconciliation in Kyrgyzstan, said Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), during a visit to the country on 17-18 March.

The Special Representative met with President Roza Otunbaeva, Deputy Prime Minister Shamil Atakhanov, leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society and Uzbek ethnic community. He discussed the challenges faced by the coalition government, including rule of law, fight against corruption, urgent socio-economic problems and promotion of reconciliation process through ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

During meetings in Osh, with Governor Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Mayor Melis Myrzakmatov, and the Head of the State Directorate for the Reconstruction and Development of Osh and Jalal-Abad, Jantoro Satybaldiev, the Special Representative raised issues related to the ongoing reconstruction, land distribution and inter-ethnic reconciliation.

A UN mission was in Bishkek last week to assess needs and present recommendations in the framework of continuing support to organize transparent and democratic presidential elections.