On 2 March 2017, the opening of refurbished document security training room at the Headquarters of the Border Troops of Armenia took place. The facilities were furnished and equipped with the financial assistance of the “Support to Migration and Border Management in Armenia” (MIBMA) project funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). 

 

The new training room equipment and furniture will support national capacities in the area of document security, which is part of broader efforts to strengthen border security, while at the same time facilitating trade and flow of passengers at Border Crossing Points. 

 

The opening of the training room was welcomed by Colonel Armen Muradyan, the Head of the Border Control Detachment of the Border Troops, Mr David Avakian from the EU Delegation to Armenia, and Mr Carel Hofstra, MIBMA Team Leader. Mr. Muradyan thanked both ICMPD and the EU for their valuable support to the training facility of the Border Troops. In his welcoming remarks, Mr David Avakian noted “This new training facility is yet another tangible expression of EU assistance to efficient border management. The EU will continue assisting Armenia in improving its border facilities and procedures.” Mr Carel Hofstra added “In addition to the refurbishment of the training facility, MIBMA provides relevant EU MS’ expertise. Further enhanced skills in checking travel documents are important in view of the possible Visa Dialogue between Armenia and the EU.” 

 

The opening of the document security training room will be followed by a two-day training of trainers on ID document authentication and profiling by local and EU experts for Border Control Detachment officers.