Counter-terrorism: OSCE holds workshop in Almaty on travel document security
ALMATY, 9 December 2005 - The first Central Asian regional workshop on the handling and issuance of travel documents co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Almaty and the OSCE Secretariat's Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and hosted by the Kazakh authorities, concluded today in Almaty.
The two-day workshop, aimed at improving existing practices and exchanging experiences on document security issues. Participants considered best practices on the handling and issuance of travel documents, focusing on blank travel document book control, application and issuance procedures, identity verification, physical security of issuing facilities, and the training, integrity and accountability of staff.
Dimitar Jalnev, Deputy Head of the OSCE ATU, said that improving the security of travel documents is a crucial element in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. He added, "Kazakhstan is developing and putting in place a system for handling and issuance of identity documents, which to a great extent corresponds to the ICAO standards and could serve as a model for other countries in the region."
Representatives of the Passport Services, the Interior and Foreign Ministries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, together with international experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) discussed the implementation of the ICAO's Minimum Security Standards for Handling and Issuance of Passports, which is an important OSCE commitment.
New travel document technologies, such as the electronic passport and the use of biometric identifiers, were also introduced. Discussions were complemented by a site visit to Kazakhstan's travel document issuing and handling facility in Almaty and by presentations from the United Kingdom Passport Service, the IOM and the European Commission.
The workshop was a follow-up to the Maastricht Ministerial Council Decision on Travel Document Security of 2003 and the conclusions of the Questionnaire on Handling and Issuance of 2004. These conclusions highlighted the need to address existing differences among the OSCE participating States in their handling and issuance procedures in order to achieve full implementation of the ICAO standards.
Improving travel document security and enhancing regional co-operation on combating the use of counterfeit and fraudulent travel documents are OSCE priorities.