ID :
189412
Sat, 06/18/2011 - 11:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/189412
The shortlink copeid
Minister Underscores Iran, Russia's Key Role in Anti-Narcotics Efforts
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar stressed Tehran and Moscow's significant role in fighting illicit drugs in the region, and stated that the two sides plan to expand mutual cooperation in the campaign against narcotics.
"Iran and Russia play a key role in the campaign against narcotics in the region, and therefore, we have made agreements with this country (Russia) and have also held various periodic meetings [with Russian officials,]," Mohammad Najjar told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with visiting Director of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service Viktor Ivanov in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
The Iranian minister also noted that during the meeting, the two sides discussed "regional cooperation and joint collective operations," which he described as "the effective way of fighting narcotics."
Tehran and Moscow agreed to establish a joint intelligence team to exchange information and plan joint operations, he further said.
"The strategy of the Islamic Republic is to increase regional counternarcotics cooperation, especially with Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan," Mohammad Najjar pointed out.
For his part, the Russian official said that the issue of information sharing and joint operations on the fight against drugs is the most important subject of an accord between Iran and Russia signed seven years ago.
Accurate exchange of information on people [involved in drug trafficking] and narcotics bands can be a way of seriously coping with the scourge in the region, Ivanov added.
In December 2010, Iran and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in campaigning narcotics and drug-traffickers.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Najjar and the visiting Chief of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FDCS), Viktor Ivanov, here in Tehran.
Following the endorsement ceremony, Najjar told reporters that Iran and Russia embarked on signing the cooperation agreement because both countries are on the main transit route used by international drug networks.
Iran lies on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe as well as the Persian Gulf states. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian police have lost more than 3700 of their personnel in the country's combat against narcotics.
Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world's number one opium and drug producer. Iran's geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.
Each year, the Iranian government spends hundreds of millions of dollars erecting barriers along the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan and pumping resources into checkpoints.
Afghanistan continues to account for 90 percent of the world's illicit opium and heroin production, the UN drugs monitoring body said in its 2010 report.
"Iran and Russia play a key role in the campaign against narcotics in the region, and therefore, we have made agreements with this country (Russia) and have also held various periodic meetings [with Russian officials,]," Mohammad Najjar told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with visiting Director of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service Viktor Ivanov in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
The Iranian minister also noted that during the meeting, the two sides discussed "regional cooperation and joint collective operations," which he described as "the effective way of fighting narcotics."
Tehran and Moscow agreed to establish a joint intelligence team to exchange information and plan joint operations, he further said.
"The strategy of the Islamic Republic is to increase regional counternarcotics cooperation, especially with Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan," Mohammad Najjar pointed out.
For his part, the Russian official said that the issue of information sharing and joint operations on the fight against drugs is the most important subject of an accord between Iran and Russia signed seven years ago.
Accurate exchange of information on people [involved in drug trafficking] and narcotics bands can be a way of seriously coping with the scourge in the region, Ivanov added.
In December 2010, Iran and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in campaigning narcotics and drug-traffickers.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Najjar and the visiting Chief of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FDCS), Viktor Ivanov, here in Tehran.
Following the endorsement ceremony, Najjar told reporters that Iran and Russia embarked on signing the cooperation agreement because both countries are on the main transit route used by international drug networks.
Iran lies on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe as well as the Persian Gulf states. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian police have lost more than 3700 of their personnel in the country's combat against narcotics.
Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world's number one opium and drug producer. Iran's geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.
Each year, the Iranian government spends hundreds of millions of dollars erecting barriers along the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan and pumping resources into checkpoints.
Afghanistan continues to account for 90 percent of the world's illicit opium and heroin production, the UN drugs monitoring body said in its 2010 report.
