Head of Information Policy Service of Presidential Administration meets with US acting assistant secretary of state

Bishkek, Oct. 7, 2022 / Kabar /. Daiyrbek Orunbekov, head of the Information Policy Service of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, met with Acting Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America (USA) Elizabeth Kennedy-Trudeau.

The meeting was attended by Chargé d'Affaires a.i. in the Kyrgyz Republic Sonata Coulter and Head of Public Relations at the US Embassy Brian Backman.

During the meeting, the sides discussed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of information, including the development of freedom of speech and mass media.

The head of the Information Policy Service spoke about a recent trip of representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organizations accredited in the republic, as well as foreign and domestic media to the villages of Batken region affected by the armed aggression of Tajikistan.

He stressed that in the annual ranking of media freedom - the World Press Freedom Index in 2022, Kyrgyzstan rose by 7 lines, taking 72nd place and added that this is the result of the policy of the head of state, his attitude to freedom of speech.

Daiyrbek Orunbekov also touched upon the new wording of the media law, which has been submitted for public discussion.

“The previous law was adopted in 1992 and is obsolete. The new version of the law reflects the challenges and requirements of today and is in no way aimed at pressure or restriction of freedom of speech,” he said.

In turn, acting the assistant secretary of state of USA expressed condolences to the families of those killed in Batken and stressed the importance of partnership between the two countries.

“You have provided open access for the press, diplomatic missions, international organizations. We appreciate the measured, calm approach that Kyrgyzstan has taken to maintain regional stability. Kyrgyzstan is a bright light in the region in terms of media freedom,” said Elizabeth Trudeau, conveying greetings from US President Joe Biden and the US Secretary of State.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue cooperation in terms of exchanging experience and training employees of government agencies.