Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Sign an Agreement on Strengthening of Cooperation in Countering Illicit Trafficking of Drugs, Psychoactive Substances and Precursors

29 November 2018, Dushanbe, Tajikistan - Mr. Kashkar Djunushaliev, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Mr. Sherkhon Salimzoda, the Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, met in the premises of the Agency to sign an Agreement on strengthening of cooperation in countering illicit trafficking of drugs, psychoactive substances and precursors, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Djunushaliev highlighted that " the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic is interested in strengthening cooperation on countering illicit drug trafficking in Central Asia, and considers the Agency one of the main partners in this sphere. Today we are here to secure agreements with a historically important document and start a new page of cooperation."

" We are signing this Agreement to give an impulse to bilateral cooperation and increase the effectiveness of counter-narcotics actions. Considerable results can be achieved through united efforts in the fight against contemporary global threats." - noted Mr. Salimzoda at the ceremony.

The Parties agreed to exchange information on countering illicit drug trafficking and their precursors; to cooperate in carrying out related activities, including controlled deliveries and test purchases, as well as on prevention of illicit drug use and trafficking; to share experiences and legislative acts; to conduct capacity building and professional development on the issues of combating illicit drug trafficking and their precursors; to assist in expert analysis and studies on the topic; to conduct joint research activities.

The Parties highlighted the role of UNODC in ensuring coordinated actions of the Central Asian states and international community in combatting illicit drug trafficking.

As a part of his official visit, Mr. Djunushaliev, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, also met with Mr. Ramazon Rakhimzoda, Minister of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, to discuss bilateral cooperation in the field of countering transnational organized crime in the countries, and in the region.

UNODC, Regional Office for Central Asia, supports the bilateral cooperation on countering illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and terrorism within the framework of the Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019) with a generous support from the Government of Japan.

 " UNODC is very proud to be a part of this historically important moment of strengthening cooperation, and encourages the countries' commitment to countering illicit trafficking of drugs, psychoactive substances and precursors." - said Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, the UNODC International Program Coordinator of Sub-Programme 1 "Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Drug Trafficking and Terrorism."

The bilateral cooperation in countering illicit trafficking of drugs, psychoactive substances and precursors started 20 years ago, when similar agreement was signed between the Governments of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic for the first time (6 May 1998).

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Ms. Dariya Kudabaeva,

Communication and External Relations Officer, UNODC ROCA

E - mail : dariya . kudabaeva[at]un.org