Fight against illicit drugs is a way to combat terrorism and organized crime, say participants in OSCE meeting

VIENNA, 8 July 2010 - Combating illegal drugs and drug trafficking is an essential element of the fight against terrorism and organized crime, Serik Baymaganbetov, the Interior Minister of Kazakhstan, told participants in an OSCE Chairmanship conference that started today.

"Drug trafficking poses a real threat to stability and security and prevents socio-economic and political development in various countries. Drug trafficking has become one of the major sources for terrorist and other transnational criminal activity," said Serik Baymaganbetov, the Interior Minister of Kazakhstan, which holds the 2010 OSCE Chairmanship.

"Since the problem of combating drug-related crime has a transboundary nature, it requires co-operative efforts, based on a comprehensive approach and co-ordinated actions by all concerned states and international organizations."

The meeting that started today provided an opportunity to work on such responses, he said, adding that the drug situation in Central Asia remained tense due to the proximity to the territory of Afghanistan. Assisting efforts to rebuild and stabilize the situation in Afghanistan, an OSCE Partner for Co-operation, is one of the Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship's key priorities. Afghanistan's Deputy Interior Minister, Gen. Mohammed Daud, is taking part in the meeting.

The two-day conference aims to raise awareness of the drug trafficking threat among the 56 OSCE participating States and to support efforts to develop effective counter-narcotics strategies.

OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut emphasized the need for "consolidated international efforts" to tackle the threats posed by illicit drugs, including international terrorism and corruption.

"At the same time, the threat and its impact is deeply regional and local," he said. "Local communities are affected, and regional political economies are hit hard. It is vital that we get the balance right between global/international action and regional/local concerns, and never forget the links between the two."

De Brichambaut said the OSCE's role and mandate in this field was growing following requests expressed by the Organization's participating States.