Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Sept 15 /Trend H.Hasanov/
An OSCE-organized training course on maritime border patrolling and surveillance methods concluded in the Caspian coast town of Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan today, the organization said.
The five-day course brought together 20 participants, including naval officers of the Defence Ministry, maritime border officers of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan and officials from the Turkmenbashi international seaport.
The course was designed to enhance participants' expertise on maritime border patrolling procedures and surveillance techniques as well as strategies for incident prevention and conflict management.
The course included visits to the Turkmenbashi international seaport where participants observed vessel inspection procedures.
This course follows up on a training course on maritime border control procedures and security management that the Centre conducted in July this year, Ambassador of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat Ivo Petrov said.
"We look forward to further supporting the host country's efforts to strengthen maritime security and facilitate transboundary co-operation." He added.
Turkmenistan has held demonstrative tactical exercises with the participation of military units and law enforcement agencies in the beginning of September.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov during training exercises said that "like any other State with access to the sea, Turkmenistan needs to provide reliable protection and security of maritime boundaries."
According to the presidential decree, the country will establish a naval base by 2015.