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Moscow forum delegates say strong ties key to fighting Afghan drugs

24 June 2010 23:27 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Delegates at an international forum Drug production in Afghanistan: A challenge to the International Community held in Moscow are satisfied with its results and say that strengthening international cooperation is vital to counter the threat posed by heroin production in the war-ravaged state, the forumâ€™s final statement issued on Thursday said, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.
The forum, which was hosted by RIA Novosti on June 9-10, attracted nearly 200 experts, politicians and drug-control specialists from the UN, NATO, CSTO, SCO and different countries.
In the final statement forum participants concluded that regular and focused dialogue between states and organizations could effectively supplement existing international approaches to combating the production and trade of illegal drugs in Afghanistan.
"We call on all interested UN member states, international and regional organizations, public-political and non-governmental organizations, as well as other civil society institutions, to implement coordinated strategies combating the illegal drugs both in Afghanistan and in the region in strict compliance with UN resolutions and the recommendations made by international and regional forums," the statement said.
During the forum, experts discussed a range of measures aimed at combating terrorism, including drug crop eradication, alternative development programs, and improving ties with Afghan law enforcement agencies.
"We advocate more effective programs in rendering assistance, including financial assistance, to the Afghan government, in monitoring the illegal drugs trade, the drafting of plans for practical cooperation between international and regional organizations involved in the struggle against the cultivation and production of narcotic drugs and their trade in this country and the region," the statement said.
According to the Federal Drug Control Service, Afghan heroin kills around 100,000 people around the world, including 30,000 Russians each year.