ID :
194779
Wed, 07/13/2011 - 11:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/194779
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UNODC Chief Lauds Iran's Anti-Narcotic Efforts
TEHRAN (FNA)- Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yuri Fedotov thanked Iran for its cooperation in the campaign against illicit drugs and drug-trafficking.
Iran plays a "very strategic" role in the campaign against drug-trafficking, Fedotov said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Vienna on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Salehi said Tehran's measures to fight narcotics serve the interests of the international community, urging global aid for the anti-drug campaign.
Iran's efforts in the fight against drug trade serve not only the interests of the Iranian nation but also benefit the international community, said Salehi.
He called for more international assistance and resources that are proportional to the extent of Iran's rigorous anti-narcotics measures and stated that Tehran and UNODC maintain a sound cooperation.
The Iranian minister expressed concerns over the persistent climb in the cultivation of drugs in Afghanistan despite the presence of Western forces in the country and their claims of fighting narcotics.
According to the UNODC, these days, 93 percent of the world's opium is produced in Iran's neighboring country Afghanistan, 60% of which is destined for the EU and specially the US markets, and the main transit route is Iran, where the country's dedicated police squad risk their lives to make the most discoveries of drug cargoes, disband drug-trafficking gangs and organizations and much more in a bid to rescue not only the Iranian youth but also all those living in Europe and the US.
Iran has always complained about the EU and other international bodies' lack of serious cooperation with Iran in the campaign against drug trafficking from Afghanistan.
Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 85 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.
According to official estimates, Iran's battle against drugs cost the country around $1 billion annually. Strategies pursued by Tehran include digging canals, building barriers and installing barbed wire to seal the country's borders, specially in the East.
Iran plays a "very strategic" role in the campaign against drug-trafficking, Fedotov said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Vienna on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Salehi said Tehran's measures to fight narcotics serve the interests of the international community, urging global aid for the anti-drug campaign.
Iran's efforts in the fight against drug trade serve not only the interests of the Iranian nation but also benefit the international community, said Salehi.
He called for more international assistance and resources that are proportional to the extent of Iran's rigorous anti-narcotics measures and stated that Tehran and UNODC maintain a sound cooperation.
The Iranian minister expressed concerns over the persistent climb in the cultivation of drugs in Afghanistan despite the presence of Western forces in the country and their claims of fighting narcotics.
According to the UNODC, these days, 93 percent of the world's opium is produced in Iran's neighboring country Afghanistan, 60% of which is destined for the EU and specially the US markets, and the main transit route is Iran, where the country's dedicated police squad risk their lives to make the most discoveries of drug cargoes, disband drug-trafficking gangs and organizations and much more in a bid to rescue not only the Iranian youth but also all those living in Europe and the US.
Iran has always complained about the EU and other international bodies' lack of serious cooperation with Iran in the campaign against drug trafficking from Afghanistan.
Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 85 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.
According to official estimates, Iran's battle against drugs cost the country around $1 billion annually. Strategies pursued by Tehran include digging canals, building barriers and installing barbed wire to seal the country's borders, specially in the East.
