ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE
The Kyrgyz Republic State Border Service formally accepted the donation of a renovated training room, computer equipment and study materials from the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) Centre in Bishkek in December 2013. The ceremony marked the completion of a capacity-building course on travel document security.
The goal is to enhance border security and improve management practices of Kyrgyz border agencies by helping officers acquire knowledge and skills in detecting counterfeit documents and using ID databases.
The project also included exchanges between airport officials from the border services of the Kyrgyz Republic and Russia working in airports in Bishkek, Osh and Moscow.
“Illegal use of travel documents is usually linked to various types of transborder crimes, such as international criminal syndicates’ activities, drug smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism,” said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Timely detection of forged IDs can help tackle these crimes and enhance the national security of Kyrgyzstan.” He added that the OSCE Centre in Bishkek would continue and broaden such training activities.
Col. Kalmurat Baitoloev, deputy head of the Kyrgyz State Border Service, said: “With the training and technical materials provided by the OSCE, we will be able to more efficiently combat the illegal use of counterfeit documents.
“These new technologies will allow us not only to counter drug and human trafficking and curb the spread of religious extremism and international terrorism, but also to ensure simpler transit procedures for those who travel legally.”