Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the new clashes in Kyrgyzstan
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission made the following statement:
“I express my deep concern over the violent clashes which erupted yet again in Southern Kyrgyzstan on 10 June, and have led to the tragic loss of many lives and a large number of injured. I offer my condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
I call upon all involved in the clashes to cease violence immediately and allow the inhabitants of the city of Osh and the surrounding region to return to normal life.
I call upon the provisional government of the Kyrgyz Republic to restore public order with lawful means, and organise inter-community dialogue as a matter of urgency.
The EU continues to support the work of the provisional government on restoring the legitimacy of state power in the country. Today the efforts of everyone in Kyrgyzstan should be focused on the Constitutional referendum on 27 June and the parliamentary elections in October. These are the first, crucial steps towards the return to democracy and the only way to guarantee stability and the unity of the country.
I have asked the EU Special Representative for Central Asia to visit Kyrgyzstan in the next days and to meet with Kyrgyz authorities and international stakeholders.”
Source:
Council of the European Union