Russia Hails Kirghizia Decision To Give Russian Language An Official Status

Russia hopes that the decision to give the Russian language an official status will improve the treatment of the Russian-speaking population in Kirghizia. The statement to this effect was made by Alexander Yakovenko, an official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry. President Askar Akayev of Kirghizia signed the law On Amending Article 5 of the Constitution of the Kirghiz Republic fixing the official status of the Russian language, on December 24 in Bishkek. Alexander Yakovenko stressed that Russia hails this important step, which will be conducive to further strengthening many-century traditions of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Kirghizia, expanding mutual cultural and spiritual enrichment of the peoples of the two countries and restoring humanitarian cooperation on the territories of the Commonwealth of Independent States.