OSCE experts evaluate well Kyrgyzstan’s work on strengthening inter-ethnic relations

Bishkek, Jan. 24, 2018 / Kabar /. Experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Program Office have been monitoring measures taken to strengthening inter-ethnic relations in the regions of Kyrgyzstan since 2013. The results of the research were presented today at a round table in Bishkek.

The event is attended by representatives from Presidential Administration and the Government of Kyrgyzstan, as well as by deputies of Kyrgyz Parliament and experts on civil issues. The goal of the round table, as the expert from the Presidential Administration Sanjarbek Tadjimatov said, is to discuss the work done in this direction, as well as to develop a new concept on integration of citizens in the life of the country

Tadjimatov said that on April 10, 2013 in Kyrgyzstan, the Concept of Strengthening the Unity of People and Inter-Ethnic Relations was adopted. Since that moment, quite a lot of work has been done, which deserved a positive assessment from the expert community.

“First of all, it should be stressed that after the events of 2010, the state authorities paid great attention to this issue and adopted a special program, as well as funds were allocated from the state budget. Another positive aspect was the measures taken to develop the state language," Tadjimatov said.

He also emphasized that for effective implementation of the concept, a separate body, the State Agency for Local Self-Government and Inter-Ethnic Relations (SALSGIER) was also established and today the issue of increasing its status and expanding its powers is being under discussion.

The shortcomings in the work were some not concrete indicators of the concept and the weak control. The next concept will be developed taking into account all these shortages," the expert said.

The Head of the SALSGIER Bakhtiyar Saliev specified that all stages on implementing of this concept were observed by the OSCE experts.

"To implement the concept, 204.8 mln. soms were allocated from the state budget and these funds were distributed among state agencies and departments. It's been 4 years already, and today we are discussing the monitoring of the concept implementation process that the OSCE has been conducting," Saliyev said.

Saliev said that monitoring revealed a positive assessment, and the OSCE experts emphasized that such events very rarely give such results.