BISHKEK (TCA) — The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek has handed over video surveillance equipment to the National Guard of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan to enhance the security of the country’s strategic energy facilities — the Tash-Kumyr and Kurpsai hydroelectric power stations. The stations are part of Kyrgyzstan’s largest Naryn hydropower plant cascade.
“The Programme Office continuously supports the National Guard of Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to enhance the security of strategic facilities, which can become a possible target for criminals. Moreover, we closely co-operate on the prevention and effective management of emergency situations,” noted Valeriu Chiveri, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.
The Programme Office and the Kyrgyz National Guard conducted various activities over the past few years aimed at strengthening the country’s counter-terrorism efforts and protecting critical energy infrastructure. Two other large hydropower stations, Shamaldysai and Uch-Korgon, located in the provinces of Batken and Jalal-Abad, respectively, were equipped with surveillance cameras in 2013 and 2014. More recently, in July 2015, the OSCE Programme Office and the National Guard signed a protocol on strengthening counter-terrorism capacity.
“Improving operational readiness and the protection of critical energy facilities is one of the key objectives of the country,” said the Commander of the National Guard, Almazbek Karasartov.
The equipment transfer took place within the framework of the OSCE Project “Strengthening National Capacity in Meeting the Politico-Military Commitments and Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure.”
