President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev went on the air Thursday to say preparations for introduction of dual citizenship in the country were well under way.

Bakiyev said that the new Constitution allowed for dual citizenship. "We've already forwarded the necessary documents to Russia. Let me warn you though that this is a lengthy process," the president said.

The president appealed to young Kyrgyz not to seek employment abroad. "A lot of construction has been planned right here, in Kyrgyzstan," Bakiyev said. "Construction of the Kambarata'2 Hydroelectric Power Plant and Kyzyl-Ki cement factory begins soon. The country needs you there. Our construction workers earn over 10,000 soms nowadays, and young men refuse to become waiters in Bishkek cafes for less than 200 soms a day. There are more than enough opportunities to earn daily bread in Kyrgyzstan."

The previous Constitution did not permit dual citizenship but a new one was adopted at the referendum this October.

Various sources estimate the number of Kyrgyz labor immigrants in Russia alone at between 300,000 and 500,000. Kyrgyz experts claim that introduction of dual citizenship will solve a lot of problems.

Jyldyzbek Ibraliyev, 24.kg news agency