BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 15 (UPI) -- Dialogue and inclusive democracy is the best way for Kyrgyzstan to consolidate peace more than a year after the country's revolution, officials said.
Forces loyal to Rosa Otunbayeva removed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev from power in an April 2010 coup, forcing the leader to flee his safe haven in the south of the country to Belarus.
Ethnic conflict erupted in June 2010, however, pitting Kyrgyzs against the Uzbek community in the south of the country.
Leaders from the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said in a joint statement Bishkek needs to work toward a cohesive program of reconciliation.
"The tragic events of June 2010 must be addressed through continued dialogue, tolerance and reconciliation," the statement read.
The Kyrgyz leader was feted in March on the 100th International Women's Day in Washington for "her courage in leading Kyrgyzstan through a difficult transition to democracy provides hope for Central Asia and inspiration for people around the world who are pursuing their universal rights."
The U.N.-OSCE message said the Otunbayeva government needs to double up on its reform efforts, however.
"The envoys underlined that the best way to overcome the hardships of the past year and the challenges ahead is to reinforce the efforts to build an inclusive, democratic and prosperous country," the statement added.
