I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the Delegations of the States of the GUUAM Group - Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova - on agenda item 106 “International drug control”.

Madam Chairperson,

In the historic document, the Declaration of the Millennium Summit adopted recently, the leaders of the UN Member States pledged to redouble their efforts in combating the world drug problem.

The problem of illicit drug trafficking, which is closely linked to other dangers – the organized crime and corruption, threats institutions of democracy and economic development of the entire international community. Only strong political will and determination as well as enhanced global and regional cooperation are able to overcome the growing danger. The GUUAM States are making and will be continuing to make their contribution to countering illicit drug trafficking.

The Twentieth Special session of the UNGA gave an opportunity to analyze the achievements in the field of countering drug-trafficking activities and established the comprehensive and balanced framework for strengthening international cooperation and elaborating national plans on drug control. For two years passed since the Special session, some positive results have been achieved in this sphere both at international and national levels.

Our States have elaborated the national strategies for drug control, particularly on the reduction of drug supply and its consumption. National criminal legislations, which provide for more severe punishment for the drug-related crimes, are being improved. Despite these efforts, many acute problems remain on the agenda.

Analysis of the drug-trafficking activities in our States indicates that a great quantity of illegally circulated narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are being imported from other countries. A part of them goes to local markets, but the main portion is being transferred further to the European countries.

The combating illicit drug trafficking is aggravated by a number of factors. The route through the Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Eastern Europe is widely used by drug dealers to transfer narcotic drugs, particularly because of the existence of unsettled conflicts in some regions. Conflict zones have beneficial climates for cultivating and shipping drugs as such zones are beyond the reach of national and international control systems as well as beyond rule of law.

Another serious factor aggravating the problem of the illicit drug trafficking in our States is difficulties of economies-in-transition and related objective obstacles of social and economic nature.

In the circumstances, our States can hardly cope alone with the drug trafficking. Therefore, we count on more active support and purposeful collective efforts of the international community.

Here, we stress that any fight against illicit drug trafficking shall be carried out in full conformity with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Madam Chairperson,

The GUUAM States are concerned about the situation of the illicit drug trafficking in Central Asia. Apparently, transnational criminal groups try to create constantly operational channels to transfer narcotic drugs through this region.

We believe that the international community has to make additional efforts to countering a complex of threats existed in that region – drug-trafficking activities, terrorism and organized crime. In this connection, we deem it as timely and welcome the holding of the high level international conference entitled “Enhancing security and stability in Central Asia: an integral approach to counter drug, organized crime and terrorism” to be held in Tashkent on 19-20 October 2000. The conference is organized by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, the OSCE and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Madam Chairperson,

The fight against illicit drug trafficking requires a complex and multifaceted approach. It is necessary to combat both the supply and demand of drugs as well as organized crime, money laundering, corruption and terrorism, which are closely linked to drug trafficking.

We fully support the UNDCP activities aimed at elaborating and implementing innovative strategies, as well as at broadening international legal basis in the field of countering illicit drug trafficking and assisting in cultivation of alternative crops.

The programmes of assistance to governments in implementing international treaties on drug control must remain as one of the priorities of the UNDCP activities.

Concerted interagency programmes implementing jointly by the UNDCP and other bodies of the United Nations systems and aimed at including measures on reduction of drug consumption in wide-scope social programmes are effective and timely. They give positive results, and this practice should be continued.

Drug abuse by means of injection is one of the major ways of HIV spreading. In this regard, we welcome accession of the UNDCP to the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS.

That problem requires urgent steps and targeted investments to carry out the complex measures on demand reduction. Therefore, the implementation of the above-mentioned Programme in the States of GUUAM will make significant contribution on the part of the international community to support our efforts.

Highlighting the urgency of drug abuse problem among youth, we stand for the enhancement of the UNDCP initiative on the establishment of the global youth network which is aimed at facilitating their professional training and finding effective methods to prevent drug abuse.

All those programmes need close cooperation of the UNDCP with its national and international partners as well as with international financial institutions.

We would like to extend our gratitude to UNDCP, UNDP and donor states for their assistance to combat illicit drug trafficking and to express our hope that this assistance will be continued.

Madam Chairperson,

In conclusion, we would like to reiterate the importance of the development of international cooperation against illicit drug trafficking, having reached the global dimension. On our part, we are ready and open for cooperation with all international organizations and states concerned.

I thank you.