FM Kazakbaev meets with UN under secretary general for peace operations

Bishkek, Sept. 22, 2021 . / Kabar / . Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruslan Kazakbaev held a bilateral meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the United Nations-Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. The meeting took place on the margins of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the press service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported. In the course of the meeting, the sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the UN and expanding participation of the republic in peacekeeping operations. Kazakbaev noted that Kyrgyzstan is particularly interested in increasing the presence of women peacekeepers in UN missions. Jean-Pierre Lacroix acknowledged Kyrgyzstan's contribution to strengthening international peace and thanked for sending its peacekeepers on UN civilian and military peacekeeping missions. He assured that the UN will assist in the appeal of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kazakbayev suggested that Kyrgyz candidates be tested in Bishkek by the end of 2021 to increase the number of Kyrgyzstan's representatives in UN peacekeeping missions. The foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan asked the UN for assistance in the speedy completion of certification of the military field hospital of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces and its deployment in one of the UN peacekeeping missions. Jean-Pierre Lacroix responded by saying that in the near future, UN experts will travel to Kyrgyzstan to discuss the details of the testing noted by Minister Kazakbaev. He also noted that his Office will continue to discuss the deployment of a military field hospital of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces in the UN peacekeeping mission. The deputy secretary general of the UN peace operations asked Ruslan Kazakbaev to join the republic in the declaration of joint commitments for peacekeeping operations, noting that to date it has already been supported by 154 states. Kazakbaev responded by saying that Kyrgyzstan reaffirms its commitment to maintaining international peace and stability. In this regard, he noted that the Kyrgyz side will make every effort to accede to the Declaration as soon as possible.