AKIPRESS.COM - A simulation exercise “Barrier-2015” aimed at improving coordination between special units of the Kyrgyz anti-terrorism agencies and to develop mechanisms to manage potential crisis situations at the borders will be held on 22 and 24 July.

It is organized in cooperation with the Kyrgyz State Border Service and General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan with participation of Tajik Border troops, and Russian military experts from the Operative Border Group working in Kyrgyzstan.

The simulation exercise will be held in two stages. On 22 July, the Barrier-2015 will be conducted on the premises of the Kyrgyz State Border Service. The Border Service Headquarters will be connected with its Batken unit via video-conference link and will showcase the unit’s readiness to coordinate border management in the second stage of the exercise. The exercise will be followed by a roundtable entitled “Border security and interaction system of the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies.”

On 24 July, the Kyrgyz State Border Service, General Staff and law enforcement units will work on the scenario of conducting an operation to stop a terrorist incursion and mass border crossing of local residents during a simulated crisis situation at the border area. This exercise promotes cooperation between the military and municipal structures, improves the existing mechanisms of coordination between key national anti-terrorist actors, and assess current state of their operational potential.

The participation of the Tajik border troops aims to enhance cooperation between the officials of State Border Services and law enforcement agencies of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The entire simulation exercise is organized as part of the OSCE Center in Bishkek projects "Enhancing the ability of the Kyrgyz Government to engage in regional cooperation in border security and management” and “Strengthening capacity of Kyrgyz anti-terrorism agencies to deal with the threat of terrorism and strengthening related national capabilities in arms control".