WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Washington looks forward to working with a democratic Kyrgyzstan, the State Department said on the anniversary of a constitutional referendum.
Washington congratulated Bishkek on the anniversary of a referendum that approved the post-coup constitution. Since the 2010 coup, the country held parliamentary elections and formed a unity government under Rosa Otunbayeva.
"These positive developments demonstrate continued commitment by the people and leaders of the Kyrgyz Republic to upholding the spirit of the constitution they approved last year," the State Department said. "The United States looks forward to working with the Kyrgyz Republic to strengthen its democratic development."
An April 2010 coup in Kyrgyzstan forced President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee his stronghold in the south of the country to Belarus. Conflict between ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyzs killed hundreds and displaced thousands more shortly after Otunbayeva took control over the country.
Human rights groups said reconciliation between the two main ethnic groups still faces serious challenges.
Otunbayeva was feted in Washington on the 100th International Women's Day in May for leadership in the country.
Kyrgyzstan hosts a transit center for the U.S. military at the Manas Air Base that serves as a major stopping point for military supplies to Afghanistan.
