STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY EDWARD NALBANDIAN AT THE PARIS PACT THIRD MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
16.02.2012
Vienna, Austria.
Mr. Chairman,
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to join the previous speakers to thank the Government
of Austria for hosting this important gathering and the Russian
Federation and France for having taken the initiative for convening
this conference.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Although a decade has passed since the Paris Conference on Drug Routes
from Central Asia to Europe and international efforts in this respect
have increased, the risks posed by the illicit production of opium
in Afghanistan have not been reduced.
We have come together to express our support for the continuation,
further enhancement and broadening of the scope of this initiative,
to identify and recommend targeted interventions for mitigating the
trafficking and consumption of Afghan opiates, to enhance further the
coordination of technical assistance and cross reference of Paris
Pact activities with those of the UNODC Rainbow Strategy and other
related initiatives.
The successful implementation of the adopted strategic decisions cannot
be insured without coordinated action and support of other regional and
international organizations dealing with transnational crime, and most
importantly, the extensive bilateral cooperation between all countries
along the main trafficking routes. Regional initiatives and cooperation
in the fight against opium and heroin trafficking from Afghanistan
is gaining more importance as it allows to better synchronize the
efforts of different countries and amplify their efficiency and impact.
Since the launch of the Paris Pact Initiative, Armenia has fully
aligned itself with the priority goals set by the Paris Statement
and Moscow Declaration. We fully acknowledge the social and human
impact of illicit drug trade and drug abuse which increase the
human insecurity and create further impediments to the stable and
sustainable development.
While the cases of drug trafficking through Armenia are insignificant
in comparison to those countries on the main routes of Afghan opiate,
the Government of Armenia has adopted strategies and implemented
policies aimed at increasing its capacity to stop the illicit drugs
from crossing through the country. Despite the two decade-long blockade
of Armenia by its neighbors to the west and east, has at the same time
blocked the drug trafficking from those countries, the borders in the
north and south can still be attempted to be used by drug traffickers,
and Armenia has spared no effort to apply preventive measures against
it in cooperation with our partners.
The Armenian National Programme on Combating Drug Addiction and
Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs for 2009-2012 identifies all those
necessary measures to address the illegal trade and the consumption
aspects of the problem. Twice a year an assessment of the measures
undertaken under the Strategy is carried out and the results are
made public.
The fight against transnational crimes requires effective
international cooperation. As a member of the Collective Security
Treaty Organisation, Armenia actively participates in its anti-drug
operations. The multinational operation “Kanal” brings together not
only member states, but also representatives from around two dozens
of states and international organizations. As a result of these
operations carried out since 2003 several tons of drugs in the area
of CSTO member states have been confiscated. In 2008 this operation
was given the status of a standing regional antidrug operation.
In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Armenia’s determination
to continue to bring its active contribution to the international
efforts, including the Paris Pact and other international initiatives,
which aim at reducing and eradicating the illicit drug production,
trade and trafficking.
Thank You!
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.mfa.am/en/speeches/item/2012/02/16/min_conf/