DUSHANBE, June 18, 2014, Asia-Plus – On Tuesday June 17, Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan (DCA), Lieutenant-General Rustam Nazarov, received the European Union (EU) delegation led by Ms. Riina Kionka, Head of the Central Asia Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Ambassador Eduard Auer, Head of the EU Delegation to Tajikistan, also attended the meeting.

According to the DCA press center, the delegation also visited the multi-agency dog training center within the Tajik counternarcotics agency.  

The Border Management in Central Asia Programme (BOMCA) handed over constructed and equipped Multi-Agency Dog Training Center to the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan on June 1, 2012. 

The project site includes a training building with accommodation facilities for 25 dog handlers, veterinary and delivery units, in-door training facilities, puppy-dog facility, an isolation unit for sick dogs and a check point.  The Center is equipped with computer and office equipment, furniture, veterinary and medical equipment, kitchen equipment and a library with training materials.

Total construction budget together with furniture and equipment provided for the Center amounted to € 500,000.

The Dog Training Centre in Dushanbe is aimed at preparation of dog handlers from law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of Tajikistan which will lead to the enhancement of their dog training capacity and hence increased drugs seizers.

Over the past two year, more than 120 law enforcement officers from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan have taken training courses at the Multi-Agency Dog Training Center in Dushanbe.