ISFARA, January 4, 2013, Asia-Plus – A newspaper aimed at residents in the neighboring provinces of Sughd in Tajikistan and Batken in Kyrgyzstan has been launched in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with support of the OSCE Center in Bishkek.
The first edition of
Druzhba
(Friendship) was distributed to people on both sides of the border on December 28, 2012.
It will come out once a month in three languages: Russian, Kyrgyz, and Tajik.
Sadruddin Mahkamov, editor-in-chief of
Nasimi Isfara
, says the new newspaper will open a new page in history of friendship between Batken region in Kyrgyzstan and Sughd province in Tajikistan. “The main objective of this publication is in bringing the friendship between the two peoples to higher level,” Mahkamov noted.
The newspaper will be distributed free of charge in three border districts of Batken region and six border districts of Sughd province.
Meanwhile, press release issued by the OSCE Center in Bishkek on December 28, in particular, notes that the bulletin for residents in the neighboring provinces of Batken in Kyrgyzstan and Sughd in Tajikistan seeks to highlight the historical and cultural affinity of peoples living in the region, and to address the legal and practical aspects of life near the border, which has not been fully delimitated and demarcated.
Some 5,000 copies will be distributed to people living on both sides of the border.
Yuliya Minayeva, Officer-in-Charge at the OSCE Center’s Osh Field Office, said: “The OSCE Center in Bishkek is engaged in a wide range of activities designed to address the root causes of conflict. This bulletin will support the exchange of information and its creation also represents an important confidence-building measure, involving officials as well as civil society representatives and journalists from both Batken and Sughd provinces.”
The Plenipotentiary Representative of Kyrgyzstan’s Government in Batken province, Jenish Razakov, said: “I am convinced that the bulletin will serve as a bridge for the kindred Kyrgyz and Tajik peoples. I believe that a critical step has been taken in the history of the two provinces to raise the awareness of citizens living near the border, and that with the help of this publication we will be able to make our peoples closer and to strengthen the friendship between them.”
The OSCE Center remains committed to promoting cross-border initiatives between the citizens of Batken and Sughd provinces to build confidence and help ensure peace and stability in the region.
