he University of Central Asia's School of Professional and Continuing Education is now offering the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme in Naryn, Khorog and at its Learning Centres in Bishkek and Dushanbe. The EAP programme adds to SPCE's current English programme offerings in Conversational English and English for Business.

The EU Delegation together with the EU Heads of Mission in the Kyrgyz Republic is deeply concerned by the Kyrgyzstani Supreme Court's decision to uphold the verdict against eight ethnic Uzbeks, including the well-respected human rights defender, Azimjan Askarov. The EU has followed closely the proceedings of the trials from the beginning, and has regularly raised the cases of fair trial for Mr. Askarov and his co-defendants with the authorities; notably within the framework of the EU- Kyrgyz Republic Human Rights Dialogue.

CHF 200’000 will be allocated by Switzerland for the project “Gender-sensitive community security and conflict prevention in the Ferghana Valley” starting from 1st of January 2012.

The University of Central Asia’s (UCA) Knowledge Management (KM) team recently implemented the Osh Business Mapping Project (OBMP) spearheading the use of innovative methodologies and affordable technologies to gather and organise information in the region

Current and future pan-regional energy projects and their social and environmental management were the focus of a conference held today at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.

Over the last ten months the Swiss Cooperation Office has realized a project for the improvement of living conditions for social institutions and renovated ten buildings, where children, orphans and elderly people live.

Kyrgyz Republic: First Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria - Staff Report; Staff Statement and Supplement; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kyrgyz Republic.

More effective prevention of torture in temporary detention facilities was the focus of a roundtable meeting organized today by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with the Regional Office for Central Asia of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of the Ombudsman of Kyrgyz Republic and a human rights non-governmental organization “Kylym Shamy”.

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission made the following declaration:

Seeking new perspectives to take forward the fight against corruption in Kyrgyzstan was the focus of a series of events organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek entitled “Evenings of Contrast”, which took place in Bishkek from 5 to 9 December 2011.