President Zhaparov addresses on occasion of 11th anniversary of June events

Bishkek, June 10, 2021. / Kabar /. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov made an address on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the June events, his press service said.

In his address the president expressed hope that such a tragedy, resulting in clashes between the two fraternal peoples, will never happen again. “I would like to express special gratitude to our wise and generous people, who, encouraging common tolerance, extended a helping hand to the victims in difficult days, and I also once again express my gratitude to the international community for the support,” he noted.

Zhaparov said that June events were a great lesson for everybody. “This tragic test confirmed the need to strengthen the unity and solidarity of the people in the name of the future of our beloved Kyrgyzstan, inherited from our ancestors,” he added.

“Popular wisdom says: "The guarantee of happiness is in friendship." We as one people, one country must focus on the future, strengthening our unity. Thanks to mutual respect, mutual assistance and mutual trust, we achieve great success. Our strength is in unity!

Osh and Jalal-Abad regions are multinational regions. Ethnic diversity is our wealth. Today, over 80 ethnic groups live in these regions. Each ethnic group contributes to the development of our country, Kyrgyzstan, while preserving its culture, language and traditions.

We are an open country with friendly, hardworking and hospitable people. In our development, we strive to strengthen friendship with neighbors in the region, mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries of the world,” President Zhaparov said wising peace and harmony in the country.

The ethnic clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbek on June 9-10 killed nearly 420 people, mostly Uzbeks, and displaced another 80,000. Gunfire was reported throughout the day in the southern cities of Kyrgyzstan and a state of emergency was declared, resulting in the deployment of military units to restore law and order.

The exact number of people killed in the clashes remains uncertain. Unofficial sources reported "thousands" killed, several thousands wounded.