Iran welcomes cooperation with EU in anti-narcotics campaign

• | Print |
•  Email

User Rating:  / 1

Details

Parent Category: سرویس اصلی

Category: اخبار اسلایدی

Hits: 1056

Tehran, June 8, IRNA – Director General of the International Relations Department at Iran Drug Control Headquarters, Mahmoud Bayat, said on Monday that in case of cooperation with Iran and other regional states, the European Union would play an important and decisive role in campaign against the global problem of narcotic drugs because the final destination of smugglers is the European markets.

The International Relations Department at Iran Drug Control Headquarters on Monday quoted Bayat as telling Chairman of European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok that according to the UN report, poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is growing, which means that more people in the country and the countries, lying on path of drugs transit to Europe, will get engaged in the unhealthy business.

He said that consequently organized and extra-territorial crimes will spread to Europe from Afghanistan.

He added that terrorism and extremism find more chance to grow due to more profits they gain as a result.

Growth in poppy cultivation and production have encouraged emergence of another form of smuggling in and beyond the region, said the official, adding that instability and insecurity in the region, for instance in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, in addition to the profit the smugglers are gaining out of the value-added of the substance have encouraged further growth of the phenomenon.

The Iranian official went on to say that as a result of a number of factors, i.e. Iran's measure in blocking eastern and western borders; instability in Africa, especially north Africa; poor performance the forces in charge of confronting the phenomenon in Africa have led to the opening of maritime route in the Oman Sea for transfer of cocaine from South America to Africa and from there to Europe and the region.

Bayat pointed to growth in consumption of amphetamines in the region and flow of NPS to the region through Europe and said the adverse effects of illogical consumption of the substances is threatening the entire region, ranging from Afghanistan to Russia.

The official said this menace is not limited to a single country or region. 'Addiction and drugs abuse are like cancerous tumor that might be controlled to some extent through a series of measures but undoubtedly, will hit somewhere else. So, the root causes should be eliminated through mutual cooperation.'

The Iranian official said narcotic drugs is a global problem and no country is immune of such a threat and its adverse consequences.

He said personal experience of countries also show that no success will be gained unless through adherence to the principle of common responsibility and through international capacity and bilateral and multilateral relations.

Bayat said the price of heroin in Iran and Afghanistan is a little bit different but in Europe it is much more expensive due to its value-added, whereas the EU has not yet had any chance for proper and enough cooperation with the countries fighting narcotic drugs.

In reaction to EU's requestion for revoking death pernalties for drug smugglers in Iran as a condition for promotion of anti-narcotic cooperation with Iran, Bayat said such penalties are for keeping the European countries immune and saving mankind from addiction. 'The smugglers, executed in Iran, take up fire arms, kill soldiers, destroy military watch posts and take women and children hostage just for their sinister goals, so one should not complain about the enforcement of law in the country.'

Bayat said as far as anti-narcotic campaign is concerned, a balanced strategy aimed at lowering demands for drugs and cutting their supply, should be adopted. He also suggested that necessary equipment be put at the disposal of the countries involved in the campaign and they be helped check drug production in Afghanistan.

Bayat said Iran is ready for any cooperation with the European Union.

The European delegation is in Tehran to hold talks with Iranian officials on a number of regioanl and international issues.

IRNA:08/06/2015