DUSHANBE, June 7, Asia-Plus – Tajikistan has participated in an international exercise, dubbed Regional Cooperation 2007, that was launched in Astana, Kazakhstan, today morning, Asia-Plus has learned at the ministry of defense (MoD).
The source at a MoD said that representatives from the defense ministry and the committee for emergency situations (CES) have taken part in the exercise that will last till June 11.
Kazakhstan’s news agency Kazinfrom says the exercise is being conducted in the line with instruction of Kazakhstan’s Security Council Secretary. The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) is an organizer and active participant of the exercise. The similar exercises were held in Germany (2004), the United States (2005) and in Kyrgyzstan (2006).
The main exercise scenario is based on mitigating natural disaster effects but it also focuses exercise focuses on border security, counterterrorism, fight against drug trafficking, and illegal migration. Two working meetings and three conferences were held with participation of representatives from Kazakhstan’s defense and emergencies ministries, USCENTCOM, as well as representatives from countries participating in the exercise: Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The coordination exercise will be followed by a seminar.
The Regional Cooperation 2007 objectives were designed to improve interoperability, strengthen relationships, increase knowledge and understanding, and improve the training levels of participating staff and coordination agencies. This exercise provides the environment for each participating country to accomplish their training objectives, and for their armed forces and civilian emergency services to gain knowledge and experience in large-scale international coordination and management of a regional response to an emergency or natural disaster.
