Armenian police training centre opens after renovation

YEREVAN, 23 March 2007 - An Armenian Police training Centre, renovated as part of an OSCE police assistance programme, opened in Yerevan today.

Under the programme, implemented by the OSCE Office in Yerevan in co-operation with the Armenian Police, six buildings of the Centre have been renovated. They will be used for training non-commissioned officers. The Office has also supplied new teaching aids and equipment.

"The renovation was an important achievement of our joint Police Assistance Programme, and an indicator of the expanding and deepening co-operation between the OSCE and Armenia in the field of democratic policing," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office, speaking at the opening ceremony.

"We will continue to closely work with the Armenian Police to further develop the Centre's training curriculum."

Colonel Artashes Andreasyan, the Head of the Police Training Centre, added: "The renovation and refurbishment of the buildings will contribute to enhanced teaching of the best international police practices and human rights standards in our institution."

The Head of the Armenian Police, Colonel-General Hayk Harutyunyan, ambassadors of donor countries and media representatives got a tour of the renovated premises.

The renovation of the Centre was financed by the Governments of Belgium, the United States and Sweden.