28/1/2005
UN And EU Tighten Cooperation On Drugs And Crime

The EU's future Foreign Minister, Javier Solana met officials from the United Nations crime fighting agency this week to discuss taking further steps to deepen co-operation in the global war against drugs, organised crime and terrorism. The meeting came less than a week after the two organisations signed an agreement to provide joint financing for projects aimed at preventing and controlling drug addiction, production and trafficking as well as other forms of organised crime.

Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said that the international community expected Afghanistan to start dismantling its opium economy which provides 90 per cent of the heroin sold on European streets. Although the newly elected Afghan Government is committed to curbing last year's record production it required international assistance.

Mr. Costa, who will be visiting Afghanistan later this week, said “democracy, the rule of law and economic development require time, and we shall work hand in hand with the European Union and the Afghan Government to ensure that further progress is made.”