OSCE Centre trains naval and maritime border officers in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, 14 September 2012 –An OSCE-organized training course on maritime border patrolling and surveillance methods concluded in the Caspian coast town of Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan today.

The five-day course brought together 20 participants, including naval officers of the Defence Ministry, maritime border officers of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan and officials from the Turkmenbashi international seaport.

The course was designed to enhance participants’ expertise on maritime border patrolling procedures and surveillance techniques as well as strategies for incident prevention and conflict management. The course included visits to the Turkmenbashi international seaport where participants observed vessel inspection procedures.

“This course follows up on a training course on maritime border control procedures and security management that the Centre conducted in July this year,” said Ambassador Ivo Petrov, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, addressing the participants. “We look forward to further supporting the host country’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and facilitate transboundary co-operation.”