Kyrgyz deputy FM receives newly appointed regional coordinator of UNOCT

Bishkek, Dec. 15, 2020 / Kabar /. First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Nuran Niyazaliev received the newly appointed Regional Coordinator of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Murad Tangiev, the press service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported. During the meeting, Niyazaliev congratulated Tangiev on his appointment and drew attention to the importance of close cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the UN Counter-Terrorism Office on the fight against international terrorism, extremism, recruitment, as well as repatriation of children from conflict zones. He emphasized the need to attract technical, financial and grant assistance from donors for the implementation of projects in the designated areas. The Kyrgyz first deputy foreign minister also noted the expediency of active cooperation of the UNOCT regional coordinator with the countries of Central Asia, taking into account his regional mandate. In response, Tangiev, expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome, expressed his intention to build a close dialogue with all Central Asian states for the full implementation of his mandate in accordance with the needs and requirements of the official authorities. He informed that his mandate includes coordinating the support of the UN system to the countries of the region on issues of foreign terrorist fighters, including their prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration into society. During the conversation, Niyazaliev focused on the importance of attracting material and technical assistance to Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to strengthen the institutional capacity of government bodies. At the end of the meeting, First Deputy Minister Niyazaliev expressed hope that the appointment of Murad Tangiev would contribute to strengthening security in the Central Asian region and stressed the readiness of the Kyrgyz side to intensify interaction with the UNOCT on a wide range of pressing issues.