Tightening security at border points is an essential component of stopping criminals and terrorists seeking to undermine national security. Countries such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan recognize this threat and must continuously train and hone border and customs officials.
For instance, in May 2015, Uzbek Customs and Border Guard Officers took part in a five-day Risk Management Training course in Tashkent. The training focused on how U.S. Customs and Border Protection use risk management training in interdiction operations without slowing the process of clearing cargo into the United States. The training also included the interdiction of weapons of mass destruction.
To Uzbekistan’s south, Turkmen officials also continuously shore up their borders with continued training. In April, officers from the State Border Service of Turkmenistan completed an Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) course on border management and threat assessment. The training course is designed to help border officials collect information and conduct surveillance and searches. The next phase will be a train-the-trainer course.
“This training course is a continuation of joint efforts with our partners in Turkmenistan to reinforce the expertise and practical skills of Turkmen servicemen engaged in ensuring the security of national borders,” said Richard Wheeler, officer-in-charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “This course marks a step forward in the development of our cooperation in this important area of mutual interest and interaction. We are confident that providing technical and other support to the State Border Service of Turkmenistan serves our common goal to maintain regional security within the Central Asia and beyond.”
Sources: U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Trend News Agency, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe