BISHKEK, Kyrgyz republic –

Ambassador Petko Draganov, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), visited Kyrgyzstan on 22-24 March. He held meetings with President Almazbek Atambaev, Toraga (Speaker) of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) Asylbek Jeenbekov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Abdyldaev. The SRSG also met with representatives of civil society in the country.

Ambassador Draganov praised the efforts of Kyrgyzstan in pursuing its democratic development, notably through the recently held parliamentary elections. He encouraged his interlocutors to use the lessons from this electoral process during the upcoming local elections later this year and the presidential elections scheduled in 2017. The SRSG discussed with the Kyrgyz authorities the ongoing judicial reforms and the necessity for a public and inclusive debate on the possible amendments to the Constitution. He also took this opportunity to underline the importance of further promoting and protecting human rights and fostering inter-ethnic harmony in the country, as cornerstones of lasting peace and stability.

During his meetings, the SRSG exchanged views on regional dynamics and current challenges faced by Kyrgyzstan, including international terrorism, religious extremism, the management of common natural resources, and border related issues. He called for Kyrgyzstan to continue its regional engagement on these matters and expressed UNRCCCA’s support in facilitating these discussions through relevant platforms and mechanisms, using preventive diplomacy tools.

_______________________

See Photo Gallery