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 8-11 November. He held meetings with Toraga (Speaker) of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) Chynybay Tursunbekov, Vice-Prime-Minister Jenish Razakov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinara Kemelova.

Ambassador Draganov praised the efforts of Kyrgyzstan in pursuing its democratic development and reiterated the UN’s support to Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary system. He encouraged his interlocutors to continue the dialogue with all political and civil society actors on the issues related to the constitutional referendum, scheduled for 11 December 2016. The SRSG emphasized that the border delimitation and demarcation process is of utmost importance for ensuring peace and security in the region.

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

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.