DUSHANBE, October 2, 2012, Asia-Plus -- The opening ceremony for the sixth staff course for senior border officials from 12 countries was held at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe on October 1.

The OSCE office in Tajikistan says the Border Management Staff Course is a multi-faceted, comprehensive academic course based on the principles and standards of the 2005 OSCE Border Security and Management Concept, and covering all three dimensions of security, including the political-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects.

Twenty-five representatives from border guard, customs and drug control agencies in Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine are reportedly participating in the course.

“All of the participants of the Staff Course are experienced officials.  The program offers them a comprehensive approach, touching upon the major topics in border security management. It explains the modern technologies, strategies and best practices and offers a platform for information exchange and development of co-operation with their colleagues from different countries,” said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

The OSCE Border Management Staff Course has to date held five one-month Staff Courses.  The next will be conducted in February 2013.  The College also runs a range of other short-term courses, some in co-operation with other international partners.  The courses are open for all 56 OSCE participating States and Partners for Cooperation.