OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit, Office in Tajikistan discuss co-operation with Tajik Interior Ministry and Drug Control Agency

DUSHANBE, 12 March 2009 - OSCE Senior Police Adviser Kevin Carty met Tajik Interior Minister Abdurrahim Khaharov today to discuss OSCE assistance on police reform and co-operation on counter-narcotics training for the Afghan police.

Carty, who also presented a needs assessment report drafted by the OSCE following an expert mission to the country, said he was encouraged to hear the Interior Minister's interest in continuing work with the OSCE to combat organized crime in the region and foster development of democratic policing.

"We are pleased to support the Interior Ministry in its progressive and steady work towards reforms, further efficiency and openness as it strives for excellence in the service delivered to its citizens," said Carty.

They also discussed support for counter-narcotics training for the Afghan police. The Strategic Police Matters Unit, in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, the Interior Ministry and the Drug Control Agency, will implement two training projects, to be funded by the Japanese government, with the Afghan National Police this year.

Carty also met Rustam Nazarov, Director of the Tajik Drug Control Agency, to discuss the projects.

Klaus Rasmussen, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, said that co-operation between the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the Tajik government provided a strong foundation for police reform activities. "The OSCE Office in Tajikistan is ready to respond to the needs of the Interior Ministry, to support law enforcement agencies in taking a more strategic approach to combating crime and drug trafficking in Tajikistan and providing security to all citizens," he said.