On September 30, 2021, in Vienna, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev took part in an extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

During his speech, Minister R.Kazakbaev informed the representatives of the OSCE participating States on the achievements of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of democratic reforms, development of civil society, ensuring human rights, including national minorities and freedom of the media. It was noted that the driving force of all these reforms is the multinational, freedom-loving people of Kyrgyzstan, who always demand justice and legality from the authorities, effective work in the interests of the state and society.

R.Kazakbaev also informed about the reasons for last year's October events, as well as the efforts of the republican authorities to return the internal political situation to a stable and constitutional channel. In addition, information was provided on the holding of presidential elections at the beginning of the year, and the organization of a constitutional referendum and elections to local self-governing bodies in the spring. The results of the presidential elections were recognized by international observers, including the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The Head of the Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan announced that parliamentary elections will be held in Kyrgyzstan on November 28, 2021, according to the proportional-majority system in accordance with the new Constitution. He invited the OSCE/ODIHR international observer mission to take part in observing the preparation and course of the voting and assured of the Kyrgyz Republic's intention to hold these elections in accordance with the country's legislation and international principles, including taking into account the 1990 Copenhagen Commitments of the OSCE participating States.

Continuing his speech, R.Kazakbaev expressed gratitude to European partners for their assistance in obtaining coronavirus vaccines within the framework of the COVACS program of the World Health Organization. Also R.Kazakbaev invited his European colleagues to take part in the First Economic Forum "European Union - Central Asia" planned for November 2021 in Bishkek, which will provide a good opportunity to discuss joint actions to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economies of our countries.

It was also proposed to hold a high-level joint conference next year, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of joining the OSCE and Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Helsinki Final Act. Within the framework of the international conference, it was proposed to discuss the results and plans for the development of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE in all three dimensions of comprehensive security.

Following the speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kazakbaev, the Permanent Representatives of Russia, EU, Turkey, USA, UK, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Switzerland and Norway to the OSCE addressed the meeting. In their speeches, the Permanent Representatives of these countries to the OSCE expressed their support of the ongoing domestic political and economic reforms in Kyrgyzstan, welcomed Kyrgyzstan's initiative to open 500 visas for Afghan youth to study in Kyrgyz higher education institutions. The permanent representatives of OSCE member states expressed their readiness to send OSCE international observers to the upcoming parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan on November 28, 2021. They also noted positively the cooperation of Kyrgyzstan with OSCE ODIHR, activity and possibility of extension of projects in the framework of OSCE programme office in Bishkek. Some speakers also inquired about the sending of humanitarian aid to Kabul, the co-operation of the Kyrgyz Republic with the OSCE on Afghanistan, as well as about specific cases on human rights, media freedom and the role of civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic. Relevant explanations and comments were given by the Minister.