Kyrgyz State Border Service conducts OSCE-supported simulation exercise “Barrier-2019”
On Tuesday, 17 September, the State Border Service (SBS) of the Kyrgyz Republic has conducted its annual simulation exercise “Barrier-2019” in Karakol, Issyk-Kul province.
“Barrier-2019” is an OSCE-supported annual simulation exercise that started in 2014 with the aim to enhance the professional capacities of the SBS and interagency co-operation to improve operational preparedness in responding to incidents and countering transnational threats.
This year’s exercise involved the staff of the SBS, the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant agencies. The Deputy Chairman of the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kurmanbek Isakov stated: “The participants of the exercise worked out a possible scenario of the situation at the border and demonstrated a quick response. This is a great tool to increase the effectiveness of state border protection and improve the border security of the republic”.
Alexander Eliseev, the Head of the Politico-Military Dimension of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in turn, noted that the Programme Office will continue actively supporting the SBS in its effective execution of the simulation exercises. The office will continue to provide assistance in the renovation of training facilities, allowing the SBS to conduct internal trainings on combat and physical preparedness.
The OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan in implementing a comprehensive border security approach within the framework of the OSCE Border Management Concept, approved by the 57 participating States of the OSCE.