Russian language plays important role in Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz president

BISHKEK. June 24 (Interfax) - The Russian language continues to play an important role in Kyrgyzstan as an official language, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said in his address to participants of the 10th session of the Kyrgyz People's Assembly.

"The republic has created conditions for preserving and developing the native languages, culture and traditions of the ethnic communities living in Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, the Russian language continues to play an important role as an official language," Japarov said.

Decrees aimed at strengthening state policies in the sphere of inter-ethnic relations have been issued since the president took office, he said.

"We not only use languages to speak, but also to become richer spiritually and culturally. It is necessary to promote the formation of Kyrgyz citizens who are fluent in the state, native, official and foreign languages, and to develop multi-language education, which is a requirement of our time," Japarov said.

Under the Kyrgyz constitution, the state language in Kyrgyzstan is Kyrgyz, while Russian has official status.