OSCE LAUNCHED IMPLEMENTATION OF FIRST PHASE OF POLICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE today launched the first phase of the Police Assistance Programme in Armenia, the OSCE Office in Yerevan reported, Regnum news agency informed. March 15 the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, and the Armenian Chief of Police, Lieutenant-General Hayk Harutyunyan signed an agreement to refurbish the Police Training Center, provided for at the first phase of the Programme. The agreement is aimed at bringing basic police training conditions into line with advanced European practices. It is also intended to provide modern equipment and teaching aids. "It is an example of fruitful and constructive co-operation between the OSCE and Armenia in fostering democratic institutions, to the benefit of Armenian people," Vladimir Pryakhin emphasized. Lieutenant-General Harutyunyan also praised the co-operation with the OSCE Office and expressed the deep appreciation of the Armenian authorities to OSCE participating States for their valuable technical support and financial contributions. "This project serves the purpose of setting up suitable logistical pre-conditions for the development of modern basic police training for our forces," he said. The project will be implemented by the OSCE Office in Yerevan together with the Armenian Police with advice and guidance provided by the Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU) of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna. The project is financed by Belgium, the United States and Sweden.