WIREDGOV

The European Union is engaging with the Central Asian partners on a long-term plan to reduce demand for drugs and combat their supply, said ambassador-at-large Valteris Baliukonis, who as a representative of the Lithuanian Presidency chaired the EU–Central Asia Senior Officials Dialogue on Drugs on November 12 in Brussels.

The meeting has endorsed an updated seven-year EU–Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs which aims to reduce drug demand and supply through wider regional cooperation and stronger focus on information, research and evaluation of drug policies.

“The EU and Central Asian countries have a shared interest in enhancing their cooperation to address common threats and security risks. The Action Plan on Drugs for 2014–2020 represents the continuity of the European Union policy and long-term engagement with Central Asian partners to help further strengthen their national policies in reducing drug demand and in combating illegal drugs supply and related organised crime,” said ambassador Baliukonis.

The Lithuanian Presidency has stressed that the EU can add value in modernising law enforcement and judiciary mechanisms in Central Asia.

“Trade in drugs is becoming ever more transnational. Narcotics, terrorism and other threats are common for the countries of the Central Asia, Afghanistan and the wider region. To deal with the threats, not only border management and equipment should be improved but also better contacts could contribute to building up relevant institutions, structures and communication systems,” said ambassador-at-large Rimutis Klevečka, who was intervening on behalf of Lithuania in the thematic session on the wider regional cooperation.

The Lithuanian Presidency underlined that the inclusion of Afghanistan in regional efforts is very important in preparation for the withdrawal of the NATO-led international force.