STATEMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Astana, May 19: Kazakhstan highly appraises the level of relations with brotherly people of Kyrgyzstan, which is based on mutual respect and good-neighborly relations, centuries-old traditions of friendship, linguistic and cultural proximity.

From the first day of tragic events in the Kyrgyz Republic in April, 2010 Kazakhstan provides assistance and support to the brotherly nation at the bilateral basis as well as the OSCE Chairman.

Serious problems on ensuring stability, law and order in the neighbor state are negatively reflected in security and crime rate in the republic of Kazakhstan. All that brought the country's leadership to introduce temporary restrictions on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz state border from April 6.

Unfortunately, the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic is far from complete normalization and stabilization.

Taking into account the difficult socio-economic situation in Kyrgyzstan and numerous appeals of citizens of the friendly country, President of Kazakhstan gave instruction to the Government to remove temporary restrictions on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz state border entry points: "Kordai", "Sypatay batyr", "Aisha Bibi" on May 20, 2010.

The entry points will ensure international transit traffic, cargo and passenger transportations, pass of physical persons, food, medical products, fuel and lubricants and agricultural products.

There will be tightened boundary, customs and migration control in order to ensure timely neutralization of possible challenges and threats.

We appeal the interim government of Kyrgyzstan for speedy stabilization of the situation, restoring rule of law and solution of problems of the country's population.