OSCE workshop aims to enhance co-operation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan in fighting terrorism and organized crime

ASHGABAT, 15 June 2015 – A two-day workshop organized by the OSCE on international co-operation in criminal matters between the law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial and central authorities of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan started today in Ashgabat.

Some 25 representatives from Turkmenistan and Afghanistan will take part in the event.

Experts from Turkmenistan and Afghanistan as well as speakers from France, Spain, Turkey, Eurojust and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will share their experience and discuss the legal provisions, mechanisms and tools to enhance investigations into cross-border terrorism and organized crime between the two countries.

“After organizing six regional workshops on international co-operation in criminal matters in Central Asia, we launched in 2014 a series of new, improved workshops, building further cross-border co-operation between two countries in the region,” said Guy Vinet, Head of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit. “This workshop represents a stepping stone to reinforce cross-border co-operation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.”

Ambassador Ivo Petrov, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “Today’s workshop is a logical continuation of OSCE activities in Turkmenistan to enhance engagement with Afghanistan. The Centre already has experience in training Afghan Customs officers and Border Police in Lebap Velayat province, eastern Turkmenistan.”

During the workshop participants will examine real criminal cases that were investigated through multi-agency cross-border co-operation with the aim of improving co-operation in fighting terrorism and transnational crime.

The Transnational Threats Department of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the event in co-ordination with UNODC.