EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
DELEGATION TO THE EU-KAZAKHSTAN, EU-KYRGYZSTAN AND EU-UZBEKISTAN PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEES AND FOR RELATIONS WITH TAJIKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN AND MONGOLIA
Report by Mrs Ona JUKNEVICIENE, Chair of the delegation, for the Committee on Foreign Affairs and for the Development Committee on the work of the Fact-Finding Mission to Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek-Osh, 17 - 20 May 2005
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______Brussels, 25 May 2005 TB-nal
EPADES\DELE\DCAS\CR\568519EN PE 358.816 Introduction
Following authorisation from the Conference of Presidents on 14 April 2005, the European Parliament delegation travelled to Kyrgyzstan on a fact-finding mission in order to assess the situation in the light of the events of March 2005, when President Akayev was removed from power and replaced by a government headed by Mr Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Mrs Ona JUKNEVICIENE (ALDE, Lithuania) headed the delegation which was included Mr Jas GAWRONSKI (EPP-ED, Italy), Mr Martin CALLANAN, (EPP-ED, United Kingdom), Mr Peter OLAJOS (EPP-ED, Hungary) and Mr Aloyz PETERLE (EPP-ED, Slovenia). The delegation held meetings in the capital Bishkek and the major southern city of Osh where the disturbances that led to the regime change had started.
At all meetings the delegation stressed the support of the European Parliament for the process of democratisation in Kyrgyzstan and stressed that the stability of the country would be strengthened by full respect for human rights. They noted that there was considerable freedom of expression and that people were prepared to speak openly.
The members referred in particular to the European Parliament resolution of 12 May 2005 which - inter alia - gave support to "the current democratic transition in Kyrgyzstan, the effective exercise of freedoms – especially fundamental rights, freedom of expression, freedom to oppose the regime and press freedom – and genuine, transparent elections". It praised "the efforts made by civil society in Kyrgyzstan in response to years of oppression...... (and) argued that "a proper democratic process in Kyrgyzstan could provide an excellent example for the other Central Asian countries".
Following the visit, the members concluded that the European Parliament should send observers to the Kyrgyzstan presidential elections that are scheduled for 10 July 2005. This view was endorsed at an extraordinary meeting of the delegation on 24 May 2005.
17 May 1600-1700hrs
Meeting with Roza OTUNBAYEVA, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Bishkek
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mrs OTUNBAYEVA welcomed the delegation and noted that the EU had helped Kyrgyzstan to build democracy in the country, which was at present at a turning point in its history. She was confident that it would follow the democratic path and introduce the necessary market reforms. Nevertheless she underlined the many problems that it faced, particularly the low standards of living and the endemic corruption. However she believed that it had great democratic potential and that the problems would be overcome.
She hoped that observers from the European Parliament would be present at the elections of 10 July, which would be a test for Kyrgyz democracy. The OSCE/ODIHR would be supporting the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure that the elections were free and fair. Mrs Otunbayeva noted that much evidence of corruption associated to the former regime had been uncovered. The Kyrgyz authorities were collaborating with the OSCE on the reform of the militia and she hoped that the army could cooperate with NATO. Mrs JUKNEVICIENE stated that it was intended that the
2/16 European Parliament would indeed send observers to the elections. She also expressed the hope that the interparliamentary links between the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee would be resumed as soon as possible.
Regarding the situation in Uzbekistan, the Foreign Minister noted that the Kyrgyz authorities, together with international organisations, were providing assistance to the refugees. The situation was sensitive and to date the Kyrgyz authorities had not made any official comments to their Uzbek counterparts on developments. She noted that there had been problems over the borders between the two countries and that the populations were ethnically mixed. In response to a question from Mr CALLANAN, Mrs Otunbayeva underlined her country's warm relations with Kazakhstan.
17 May 2005 1700-1800hrs
Mr Kurmanbek BAKIYEV, acting President
White House, Bishkek
Mr BAKIYEV gave details of the agreement that he had reached with Mr Feliks Kulov. According to this agreement Mr Kulov would withdraw from the 10 July presidential elections in exchange for the post of prime minister with enlarged powers in a possible Bakiyev government. The accord had been struck to promote the unity of Kyrgyzstan and support political stability. At present, he stressed, the situation was very calm.
Mr Bakiyev wanted the elections to provide a genuine choice for the Kyrgyz people and he promised that administrative resources would not be used to support the incumbent government. He welcomed the prospect of observers from the European Parliament attending the elections. In response to Mr CALLANAN he argued that former President Akayev had tolerated a high level of corruption and that the presidential circles had not been interested in economic progress. In addition the former president had isolated himself from the people.
The acting President underlined the importance of building a fully functioning market economy and he stressed the need for investment and mobilising private finance. It was also important to use the human resources of the Kyrgyz people to the full. He pointed to the significance of the energy, gold mining, hydroelectric, farming and tourism sectors. In response to questions from Mrs JUKNEVICIENE and Mr CALLANAN, Mr Bakiyev emphasised the need to fight drug trafficking and organised crime. The former authorities, he argued, had not taken concrete action to deal with these problems and their response had been confined to empty rhetoric.
Regarding the situation in Uzbekistan, Mr Bakiyev stressed that his government was fully prepared to provide support for refugees and that they would be enable to return when the situation stabilised. Replying to Mr GAWRONSKI, he underlined the need for Kyrgyzstan to have close relations with its immediate neighbours and noted that his government was seeking to address unresolved areas of difference. It was also developing relations with Russia, the USA and the EU and it did not want to differentiate between these three. He stressed that Kyrgyzstan had experienced 70 years of a common state with Russia and that there were many links and it would remain a key strategic partner.
3/16 Mrs JUKNEVICIENE expressed her support for the Bakiyev-Kulov agreement and underlined the need for the elections to meet the necessary international standards. She looked forward to the next Parliamentary Cooperation Committee taking place as soon as possible.
17 May 2005 2000-2200hrs
Working dinner with Mr Feliks KULOV, leader of the Ar-Namys party
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bishkek
Mr Kulov is the leader of the Ar-Namys party and had been imprisoned (since 2000) during the rule of former President Akayev. He expressed his gratitude to the European Parliament, which had called for his release in a resolution of 23 October 2003. Mr Kulov outlined his perspective of the deal that he had struck with Mr Bakiyev. He recognised that there was potential for conflict between the two politicians and he would seek to reach compromise when necessary as he was conscious of the dangers of a confrontation. He noted that he came from the north and Mr Bakiyev came from the south and that this regional divide could be a source of tension.
He had warned Mr Bakiyev that the people would not be prepared to accept a fraudulent election. He cautioned that, with roughly 33,000 electors in each of the 75 constituencies, a low turnout would result in people voting for their relatives. It was important that political parties existed as these were the only means of uniting people across regional, ethnic and family divides.
He accepted that in the past he had been a Minister and Vice President in the government of Mr Akayev but argued that this had enabled him to observe at close hand the shortcomings of the former President. The situation would have been different if developed political parties had existed, however in Kyrgyzstan politics was mainly driven by personalities. He believed that Mr Akayev had been wrong to leave the country and he wanted him to return from exile. However it would be very difficult for the former President to rehabilitate himself as many people considered that his sudden departure had not been the "manly" course of action. There had been no need for him to go into exile, as nobody would have touched him. Mr Kulov noted that it had been alleged that 72 companies had some links to Mr Akayev, however he considered that this was probably exaggerated. Nonetheless he believed that people in the circles close to Mr Akayev had enriched themselves.
Turning to the situation in Uzbekistan he stated in the past he had respected Mr Karimov for standing up to Islamic extremism, however the methods that he had applied in the last week could not be justified. Mr Kulov warned that the situation would become more violent and it was essential that Kyrgyzstan kept out of the conflict. He did not consider that the situation was similar to what had occurred in Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine or Georgia as the demonstrators had not seized the capital as they had in those three countries.
4/16 18 May 2005 0800-0850hrs
Working breakfast with OSCE Ambassador MULLER, German Ambassador EICHINGER and French Chargé d'Affaires MILLET
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bishkek
The diplomats underlined the importance of international observers at the Kyrgyz elections on 10 July. At present there appeared to be considerable freedom of expression in the country, however it was not clear whether this was because the government could not control the press or because it genuinely wanted a free media. In the light of the Bakiyev-Kulov agreement it was unlikely - but not impossible - that a second round run-off of the elections would be necessary. It was very hard to make a fully accurate assessment of the situation, as Kyrgyzstan was less a country of visible political parties and more a place of invisible clans, who might or might not reach an agreement. If an influential grouping came together it might be in a position to challenge Mr Bakiyev. They recognised too that there were tensions between Messrs Bakiyev and Kulov.
Regarding the situation in Uzbekistan they stressed that Kyrgyzstan was not in a position to have bad relations with its neighbours, as it was a small country with limited military capacity. They noted that the official death toll in Uzbekistan was 169, however there were unofficial reports of around 700 killings. President Karimov had apparently described all his opponents as "fundamentally terrorist".
18 May 2005 0900-0945hrs
Omurbek TEKEBAYEV - President of the National Assembly of Kyrgyzstan
People's National Assembly of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
The Speaker stated that the situation had now returned to normal following the extraordinary events of 24 March, however there was still a danger of the situation deteriorating. The crisis had been brought about by the failure of Mr Akayev to assess the situation objectively and the meddling of members of his family in political life. He believed that the Kulov-Bakiyev agreement would help overcome the north-south divide in the country. The internal turmoil had had a detrimental effect on the economy, particularly with 45,000 hectares of land remaining unsown.
He stated that the elections of 10 July would be transparent and honest and no pressure would be brought to bear on the people. They would take place under the 2003 electoral law, which he did not consider needed changing. In his view the problem was not the legislation but the political systems. Constitutional reform proposals were being prepared by the constitutional council, which consisted of 114 representatives and had started its work on 18 April. These reforms would prevent too much power being vested in one man and it was proposed to limit a president's mandate to one five year term. Replying to a question by Mr GAWRONSKI, he stated that it was possible that in the future Mr Akayev might return to play a role.
5/16 18 May 2005 1000-1045hrs
Azimbek BEKNAZAROV, acting Prosecutor General
Prosecutor General's Office, Bishkek
Mr Beknazarov stated that he did not consider the Kulov-Bakiyev agreement to be "correct" as it infringed the rights of other candidates for the presidency. It would mean that power would rest in the hands of just two people who would decide everything in the future. Mr Beknazarov considered that Mr Bakiyev would win the election in the first round. However he understood the agreement to mean that Mr Kulov could not be dismissed as prime minister and would therefore also be in power for five years.
Replying to Mrs JUKNEVICIENE, Mr GAWRONSKI and Mr OLAJOS, Mr Beknazarov stated that questions had been raised about five houses that appeared to have been built at the expense of the state budget and that belonged to close relatives of Mr Akayev. He referred also to a statement by Mr Akayev in 1994 that two tonnes of gold had been moved to Europe to pay for humanitarian assistance and it was not clear where this gold had gone. He stressed that he wanted to uncover the corruption that had been prevalent in the country.
18 May 2005 1100-1230hrs
Civil society representatives and political activists
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bishkek
There was some debate over whether the events of March really constituted a revolution. In the view of some speakers the "revolution" had not really started, others considered that it was incomplete and that it was now necessary to reinforce the political party system and create an environment in which political parties could compete. Negative issues such as state corruption still existed (one speaker quoted the slogan of some protesters in March - "Don't steal - the government hates competition").
There was a general hope that the European Parliament would support democracy in Kyrgyzstan, while it was noted that there was much ignorance in Europe about Central Asia. One speaker stressed that the people of Central Asia were much closer to Europe in attitudes and fundamental values than they were to Afghanistan.
One speaker stated that the people in the current government were products of the former Soviet system and they had not "internalised the values of democracy". People did not believe in the sincerity of the authorities. Another warned that the members of the Central Election Commission were the same as before and believed that administrative resources would be used in favour of the incumbents at the forthcoming elections. Another speaker stated that a new generation should be brought in as had happened in Georgia. A further speaker warned that the "dictatorship of one person could be replaced by the dictatorship of clans".
Mixed views were expressed about the Bakiyev-Kulov agreement with one speaker being suspicious of it, while another considered that it would allow a smooth transition of power.
6/16 Other points made in the meeting included the following.
· A proportional system would suit the country better as single member constituencies resulted in divisions
· There were 80 minorities in Kyrgyzstan and their human rights needed protection.
· President Karimov might use the conflict in his country as an excuse to intervene in Kyrgyzstan.
· There was a need for real newspapers, at present campaign advertisements were simply disguised as news stories.
Wednesday 18 May 1300-1430hrs
H.E. Mr Stephen YOUNG, US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bishkek
Mr Young warned that much that he could say would be based on rumour rather than fact. He did not consider the events of March to have been a "revolution"; nonetheless they had represented a dramatic change. He believed that in his early days in power Mr Akayev had undertaken significant reforms and there had been a quantifiable difference between his government and the other regimes in the region. There was now no indication at all that the Kyrgyz people wanted him to return.
The ambassador considered that the absence of lethal violence during March had been remarkable and he believed that the government had drawn lessons from the events of 2002 in Aksy when the security forces had killed seven peaceful demonstrators. In 2005 Mr Akayev's militia had not been prepared to use force against the people.
He believed that the Kulov-Bakiyev tandem would be fractious but that it offered some promise as it offered north and south some stake in the country. It was more acceptable to have a deal before the elections so that the people would know what they were voting for. The agreement had to be recognised as a marriage of convenience and there had already been some squabbling over personnel issues. The United States supported a prosperous, democratic Kyrgyzstan and he did not believe the Kyrgyz people would be prepared to allow the government to backslide.
Mr Young stressed that President Putin had learned a lesson from his ill-advised intervention in Ukraine and that Kyrgyzstan would always have close ties with Russia. The Russians were not seen as the oppressors in the way that they had been on occasions in the European republics of the former Soviet Union. Recent polling had shown that 90% of Kyrgyz citizens were favourable towards the Russians.
On the situation in Uzbekistan he considered that President Karimov had taken the lesson from the events in Georgia that he should crack down on dissent. The Uzbek President had been under the mistaken impression that his country's security cooperation with the United States meant that he could do whatever he wanted. Mr Young cautioned that repression would only provide temporary stability. On other countries in the region he considered Turkmenistan to be 7/16 "lost" and he pointed to government crackdowns in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan after the events in Ukraine.
In conclusion the ambassador argued that the delegation should take back the message to Brussels that Central Asia was important to Europe. Events in Afghanistan were a warning of what happened when a country was neglected.
18 May 2005 - 2130-2230hrs
Meeting with political and media representatives
Crystal Hotel, Osh
Speakers stated that power in Kyrgyzstan had slipped into the hands of one person and that Mr Akayev had become separated from the people. Discontent had occurred in the south because the people in the region suffered from the most serious hardships in the country and they were fed up with the corruption. History would make an assessment of the events of March and whether they represented a real revolution.
On Uzbekistan there was concern about the harshness of the regime's response and a belief that the international community should take measures to ensure that the oppression did not continue. It was noted that some 500 refugees had crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan and that the NGOS were helping, although this was putting pressure on scarce resources. It was difficult to judge the situation because of the news blackout and Andijan was cordoned off. As a result nobody in Uzbekistan seemed to know what was really going on. The protests in Andijan seemed to be more about taxes and corruption and did not have extremist undertones.
One speaker warned that Uzbekistan had a very large army and that giving official refugee status to those who had entered the country might cause problems for Kyrgyzstan. He stated that many of those crossing the border were young men and it was questionable if they were genuine refugees or whether they were simply criminals who had been freed from prison: (a prison had been stormed in Uzbekistan and the prisoners released).
19 May 2005 0530-0830hrs
The Chair of the delegation, Mrs JUKNEVICIENE, accompanied by Mr GAWRONSKI, travelled to the border with Uzbekistan where they observed the controls. They were not able to cross into Uzbekistan.
8/16 19 May 2005 0830-08.45hrs
Meeting with NGO representatives
Crystal Hotel, Osh
The organisations covered a range of issues including: support for business and SMEs; consumer organisations; support for women (including battered women) and children; defence of voters' rights; help to people with disabilities; monitoring the conditions of prisoners; monitoring the elections and supporting local democracy (a lawyers' organisation); help to young people (and prevention of ethnic conflict); and support for conflict resolution. Many of the NGOs received funding from the Soros Foundation or US Aid.
There was some criticism of the bureaucratic procedures necessary to obtain funding from the European Commission whereby there was a very short deadline for applications and it was necessary to gather and translate huge numbers of documents.
There was general support from the changes that had taken place in March 2005 and the democratic transformation of Kyrgyzstan. However one speaker noted that there was a different mentality in Central Asia and it was most important that people should be fed and that economic problems should be solved. This speaker considered that the EU ought not to get involved in the area of supporting democracy.
There had been very little information from Uzbekistan. Although there was some evidence of Islamists being active the main cause for the unrest was poverty and corruption.
19 May 1000-1100hrs
Anvar ARTYKOV, Governor of Osh
Office of the Osh Oblast Governor, Osh
Mr Artykov noted that there were seven districts in Osh and three cities. After the events of March he had forced the police and army in the region to be loyal to him and he had replaced the head of the border guard service who had refused to carry out his instructions. He believed that the fight against corruption was progressing, although it was hard to eliminate it in two months.
He welcomed the Kulov-Bakiyev deal as being in the interests of the country and a way of overcoming the potential north-south split. He stressed that there should be no interference by the authorities in the elections and the people should be free to vote for the candidates of their choice. He recognised nonetheless, that there was a danger that voters could be bought because of their poverty.
The governor expounded a principle of non-interference in the affairs of other countries; nevertheless he was concerned about the safety of Kyrgyz citizens in Uzbekistan at present and noted that there were many cross-border family links. He warned that any more influx of refugees could cause serious problems. He stressed that the peaceful situation which prevailed in Osh should not be undermined by events over the border.
9/16 19 May 1100-1230
Meeting with ethnic minorities
Office of the Osh Oblast Governor, Osh
The delegation met with representatives of the Russian, Tajik, Uighur, Turkmen, Uzbek, Korean and German ethnic minorities (the Tartar and Roma representatives were absent). They were members of the National Assembly of Ethnic Minorities and the Osh branch had been set up in 1994. The aim of the Assembly was to protect the rights and freedoms of national ethnic minorities; to protect national cultures and traditions; and to ensure that all ethnic groups in Osh (in total over 60) lived together in harmony. They celebrated each other's national days and provided humanitarian support and mutual aid.
They had discussed the events of March in their Presidium and had concluded that a genuine people's revolution was underway. They noted that Andijan was only 45 kilometres distant from Osh and that the peoples of the Fergana Valley were "one big family". The closure of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border would harm the economy and they regretted that the situation in Uzbekistan had not developed as it had in Kyrgyzstan.
The representative of the Russian minority complained about the inadequate teaching facilities in Russian. The representative of the German minority contended that her group had far more problems and that most of them had lost the ability to speak and understand the language of their ancestors who had come to Russia at the time of Catherine the Great, or even earlier.
19 May 1230-1330hrs
NGO "Golden Goal" Mr Heikki AUVINEN, TACIS Team Leader
Office "Golden Goal", Osh
The main purpose of the "Golden Goal" project was to help young people tackle their social and legal problems. They were given advice on how to emigrate and the risks of illegal work abroad. A database had been set up to broaden information about citizens' rights. The problem of human trafficking was also highlighted and the sale of babies and young children.
The project had originally been set up by a group of students from five different universities and around 6000 young people each year benefited from the project. There was a regional officer, 20 full time staff and 30 volunteers. In Osh there were eleven universities and 100,000 students in higher education. It was noted that these students could be put under pressure to campaign for particular candidates in elections.
Mr Auvinen informed the delegation about the TACIS project "Addressing the social consequences of transition in the Fergana Valley in the framework of the Poverty reduction programme in the Batken oblast. He stated that the project had started in January 2005 and that it had worked particularly at promoting cooperation between the local population, government
10/16 and donors. It was active in areas such as the development of SMEs and the diversification of agriculture.
11/16 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Delegations to the Parliamentary Cooperation Committees UE-Kazakhstan, UE-Kyrgyzstan and UE-Uzbekistan and Delegation for Relations with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Mongolia
5th PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE EU-KAZAKHSTAN
FACTFINDING MISSION TO KYRGYZSTAN
15-20 May 2005
List of Participants in Protocol Order (13)
Members (5) Group Countrty Ms Ona JUKNEVICIENE, Chair ALDE Lithuania Mr Jas GAWRONSKI PPE-DE Italy Mr Alojz PETERLE PPE-DE Slovenia Mr Martin CALLANAN PPE-DE United Kingdom Mr Peter OLAJOS PPE-DE Hungary
EP Delegation Staff (3) Mr Tim BODEN Administrator Ms Claudia SCHWENDENWEIN Assistant Ms Nekane AZPIRI Secretary
Politicial Group Advisor (1) Mr Niccolo RINALDI ALDE
Interpreters (English and Russian) (3) Mr Martin WOODING English booth, Head of Interpreters Mr Alexey FOKIN Russian booth Ms Tatiana LYSHCHENKO-ENTINA Russian booth
European Commission (1) Mr Reinhold HACK Head of Unit, Interinstitutional relations, RELEX
PPE-DE Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats ALDE Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe UEN Union for Europe of the Nations Group
12/16 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Delegations to the Parliamentary Cooperation Committees UE-Kazakhstan, UE-Kyrgyzstan and UE-Uzbekistan and Delegation for Relations with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Mongolia
5th PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE EU-KAZAKHSTAN
FACTFINDING MISSION TO KYRGYZSTAN
15-20 May 2005
FINAL PROGRAMME
Saturday, 14 May evening arrival in Almaty, delegation is met by Mr Dyachenko, Co-Chair from the Kazakhstan Parliament and transport to Hyatt Regency Hotel Akademic Satpaev Avenue, 29/ 6 050040 Almaty KZ Tel. +7 3272 501234 Fax. +7 3272 508888
Sunday, 15 May
10.30-11.45 briefing by the Commission in preparation of the PCC Hyatt Regency Hotel Ibrai/Makhambet room
12.00-13:40 working lunch with EU Member States Ambassadors Hyatt Regency Hotel Abai room
13.45 depart hotel for
14.00 meeting with EIDHR project representatives Polyton Discussion Centre 20/17 Abai Avenue, office 21
15.10 return to hotel
15.30 meeting with opposition parties Hyatt Regency Hotel Ibrai/Makhambet room
17.15 depart hotel for airport
18.55 depart to Astana with flight 4L 855
13/16 20.40 arrive in Astana and transport to hotel Intercontinental Okan Hotel Astana 113 Abai Avenue 473000 Astana KZ Tel. +7 3172 39 1000 Fax +7 3172 39 1017
Monday, 16 May
10:00 meeting with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexey Volkov Ministry of Foreign Affairs
10.45-11.30 meeting with Ms Elisabeth Webster, representative USA Embassy in Astana USA representation in Astana
12.00 5th Parliamentary Cooperation Committee EU-Kazakhstan Majilis Parliament Room A309
14.00 official lunch with Kazakh parliamentarians Majilis Parliament
15.00-18.00 Continuation of 5th Parliamentary Cooperation Committee EU-Kazakhstan Majilis Parliament Room A309
18.00-18.30 Meeting/cocktail with Speaker of the Kazakh Majilis
18.15 depart for airport
19.55 depart from Astana to Almaty with flight 4L 868
21.35 arrival in Almaty and transfer to hotel Hyatt Regency Hotel Akademic Stpaev Avenue, 29 6 050040 Almaty KZ Tel. +7 3272 501234 Fax. +7 3272 508888
Tuesday, 17 May
08.30-09.00 working breakfast with OSCE Ambassador Mr Ivar Vikki Hyatt Regency Hotel Intymak room
09.30 depart to Bishkek by bus
16.00 arrive in Bishkek and depart for Ministry of Foreign Affairs
hotel
14/16 Hyatt Regency Hotel Bishkek 191 Sovietskaya Street 720011 Bishkek KG Tel. +996 312 66 1234 Fax. +996 312 66 9305
16.05-16.45 meeting with Ms Roza Otunbayeva, Minister of Foreign Affairs a.i. 57 Erkindik Blvd. 4th floor
17.00-18.00 meeting with Kyrgyz Republic President a.i. and Prime Minister Mr Baikiev White House 6th floor
20.00-21.30 working dinner with Mr Feliks Kulov, 'Ar-Namys' Party Leader Hyatt Regency Hotel 191 Sovietskaya Street 720011 Bishkek KG
Wednesday, 18 May
08.00-08.45 working breakfast with OSCE Ambassador Muller, German Ambassador H.E. F. Eichinger and French Chargé d'Affaires Mr. Erik Millet and Chargé d'Affaires of the Commission Delegation Office in Bishkek Ms. Carina Skareby Hyatt Regency Hotel Bishkek („Crostini“Restaurant)
09.00-09.45 meeting with President of the National Assembly of Kyrgyzstan, Mr Isa Tokeoev and Mr K. Samakov, Chairpoerson of Foreign Affairs committee 78, Pushkina Str., Office of Peoples’ National Assembly of Kyrgyzstan
10.00-10.45 meeting with Prosecutor General and MP Mr. Beknazarov Kievskaya/Orozbekova Str., Prosecutor’s office
11.00-12.30 meeting with civil society representatives and political activists Hyatt Regency Hotel Bishkek Akyn Hall
13.00-14.30 working lunch with American Ambassador H.E. Mr Stephen Young Hyatt Regency Hotel Bishkek Restaurant
14.45 depart for airport
16.20 depart Bishkek for Osh with flight QH 011 (flight delayed)
15/16 21.00 arrive Osh and transport to hotel Crystal Hotel Navoi Str 50A Osh 714000 KG Tel. +996 3222 27991 Fax+996 3222 5326
23.30 meeting with representatives of press and media Crystal Hotel, Conference room
Thursday, 19 May
08.30 meeting with NGO representatives Crystal Hotel, Conference room
10.00 meeting with Mr Anvar Artykov, Governor of Osh Office of the OSH oblast Governor
11.00 meeting with ethnic minorities Office of the OSH oblast Governor Conference room
12.30 meeting TACIS representatives on poverty, drugs and human trafficking Mr Heikki Auvinen, Team Leader, Tacis Project 'Addressing the social consequesnces of transition in the Ferghana Valley in the frame of poverty reduction Programme' in Batken oblast NGO 'Golden Goal' implementing EIDHR Project in the South Office 'Golden Goalr NGO Kyrgyzstana Str. 3rd floor, Room 1-2 lunch free for own arrangements
15.50 transport to airport
17.25 depart Osh for Bishkek with flight R8 143
18.15 arrive Bishkek and transport to hotel Hyatt Regency Hote 191 Sovietskaya Street 720011 Bishkek KGl Tel. +996 312 66 1234 Fax. +996 312 66 9305
Friday, 20 May
individual departures for Europe
16/16