OSCE training course in Turkmenistan focuses on confidence- and security-building measures
ASHGABAT, 15 May 2015 – 19 officials from the Defense Ministry of Turkmenistan concluded a five-day OSCE-supported training course today on reciprocal inspection procedures under the Vienna Document, a key politically-binding document focusing on confidence- and security-building measures in the military sphere. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the practical course to facilitate the exchange of best practices to fulfill commitments contained within the Vienna Document 2011.
“The training course builds on the successful co-operation developed over the years between the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat and the Government of Turkmenistan in the area of promoting confidence- and security-building measures,” said Ambassador Ivo Petrov, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
Experts from the National Agency for Control and Inspection (NAKI) of the Defense Ministry of Belarus shared experiences in implementing international commitments in the area of arms control and presented the main provisions of the 2011 Vienna Document.
Discussions focused on annual exchanges of information and preliminary notification about certain military activities, as well as preparations for and the conduct of evaluation visits to military sites and airbases and defense planning. The agenda of the training course included a practical exercise for conducting an evaluation visit to a military unit.
“The training course was designed to provide defense officials from Turkmenistan with the updated knowledge and skills necessary for planning, conducting and reporting on inspections,” added Ambassador Petrov. “Activities of this type are essential for promoting openness and transparency in military activities of the OSCE participating States.”