OSCE High Commissioner in Turkmenistan to discuss education and national minorities, legal reforms

ASHGABAD, 22 May 2008 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Ambassador Knut Vollebaek, met Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov yesterday to discuss national minority issues and support for the country's efforts to modernize its education system.

Ambassador Vollebaek, who is in Turkmenistan for a three-day visit, is also meeting high-level officials on legal reforms, in particular Turkmenistan's plans to amend its Constitution. He offered the support of his office, and agreed that it would make proposals for educational and constitutional reforms.

"There are important developments taking place in Turkmenistan - a new constitution will be debated and reforms in all spheres of life are taking place," said Vollebaek.

"My institution is ready to support Turkmenistan in complying with international standards. In this context it is also important to emphasize that national minorities living in Turkmenistan should be able to communicate their needs and aspirations to the authorities."

The High Commissioner also visited the country's Lebap region to get a firsthand assessment of Turkmenistan's progress with national minority issues in education.

"My meetings with schoolchildren, teachers and those studying to be teachers made it clear that they welcomed the changes that have already taken place. I look forward to further progress," he said.