OSCE office supports training course on security sector governance and oversight in Armenia

YEREVAN, 7 October 2009 --A three-day training course on security sector governance and oversight for Armenian parliament and government staff that focused on topics such as democratic governance, norms and standards concluded today in Yerevan.

Representatives of state institutions, international organizations and experts shared experiences during the course, organized by the Institute for Civil Society and Regional Development, a local non-governmental organization, with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). The government of the Czech Republic provided financial support.

"Democratic governance and oversight of the armed and security forces are two sides of one coin. They are a prerequisite for the ongoing democratic reforms that aim to enhance the efficiency of the Armenian security sector. The seminar aimed to strengthen participants' knowledge about oversight mechanisms and promoted better co-operation in the defence sector," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan

Other topics covered in the course included decision-making in the field, civilian control and parliamentary oversight, and border security and management, as well as the role of the international organizations.

Participants of the seminar included high ranking officials from state structures, including the National Assembly, the Defense and Foreign Ministries, the National Security Council, the National Security Service, police, as well as international organizations and civil society representatives.

"If security sector reform and democratic governance are to succeed, development of political and civil society groups is necessary. Armenia, as a founding member of DCAF, which is assisting governments and societies in this important mission, has experiences in this field that are of great value and interest," said Philipp Fluri, the Deputy Head of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces.

Aghavni Karakhanyan, the Director of the Institute for Civil Society and Regional Development, underlined that civil society plays a crucial role in effective oversight of the security sector.

"This course is a good example of effective co-operation and we will continue to work together to further support the reform of the security sector."