OSCE Centre trains Turkmenistan cadets in land and maritime security

TURKMENBASHI, 26 September 20014 – 105 cadets at the Navy Institute of the Defence Ministry of Turkmenistan attended an OSCE-organized course on maritime border security and port management procedures and mechanisms that concluded in Turkmenbashi today.

The five-day lecture course familiarized participants with concepts of security management and border security, and focused on the specifics of maritime border security and management. Two international trainers addressed topics such as international best practices in the field of the protection of state borders, border patrolling and screening of persons, luggage and vehicles at maritime borders.

“Effective border management requires regular advancement of professional skills of navy and border personnel and coordinated actions of law-enforcement bodies”, said Richard Wheeler, Political Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the course to contribute to the professional training of today’s cadets who will be engaged in maritime border protection and management operations in the near future. This course is a follow up to the joint efforts undertaken by the Government of Turkmenistan and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in the area of strengthening border security, and we strongly believe that this successful co-operation will further expand”.

During the course, the cadets discussed current threats to maritime security and mechanisms to prevent and combat terrorism, illegal migration, drug trafficking and smuggling at maritime borders and seaports.

The event followed a similar course held at the Border Management Institute of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat. The five-day course focused on the land border management and security and was delivered to 95 cadets from the Border Management Institute.