OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports security of critical energy infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan

KARA-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 9 July 2010 - A two-week training course supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek for Interior Ministry forces on the installation and use of security surveillance systems at the Toktogul hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan's Jalal-Abad province concludes tomorrow.

"The recent civil unrest in Kyrgyzstan has refocused attention on the importance of protecting critical national energy infrastructure from sabotage or attack," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

"For the past two years the OSCE Centre in Bishkek has been providing support and advice, in accordance with its mandate. This year the Centre provided a video surveillance security system for the Toktogul hydroelectric power station, which is of critical importance not only for Kyrgyzstan, but for the wider Central Asian region. The training course just completed enables the Ministry of Interior's internal troops to maximize use of the surveillance technology provided."

The participants learned about the effective installation, use and maintenance of the surveillance system. The course, which was financially supported by the OSCE Centre, is also in line with an OSCE Ministerial Council decision on assisting the protection of critical energy infrastructure in OSCE participating states.

"The established video surveillance system will significantly improve the protection of strategically important energy infrastructure of Kyrgyzstan," said Sovet Arbaev, Commander of the Internal Troops.