Kazakh delegation took part in Central Asia-European Union Narcotics Dialogue

7-8 July 2022, BRUSSELS - Representatives of the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan took part in the first meeting of the "Central Asia-European Union Drug Dialogue" in Brussels.

The event, initiated by the Czech Presidency of the European Council (from  July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022), aims to strengthen interaction and exchange of experience between various authorized bodies of the Central Asian and EU countries in the field of combating drug trafficking and preventing the use of drugs and psychotropic substances.

The first meeting of the dialogue was organized on the basis of the CADAP program - the EU initiative to prevent the spread of drugs in Central Asia, which provides support to the Central Asian countries in the development of drug demand reduction policies.

During the two-day discussion, the parties exchanged relevant information on the fight against drug trafficking, adapting methods and policies of work to new challenges. Particular attention was paid to the issue of providing support to drug addicts, as well as to the improvement of social policies to protect vulnerable groups.

The parties are concerned about the threat of drug transit through the territory of the Central Asian states and the propagation of synthetic drugs among young people.

During their speech, the Kazakh participants reported that the issue of decriminalization of non-medical drugs use is currently under consideration in Kazakhstan. New methods to combat the spread of prohibited substances on the Internet market are being studied.

Kazakh participants highlighted the importance of cooperation with European agencies in the field of combating digital drug trafficking tools. Particularly, they paid attention to the introduction of advanced software, the fight against the legalization of illegal income, and the use of cryptocurrencies. They also wish to adopt the successful experience of other countries in these areas.

During the discussion, various representatives  (from the countries of Central Asia, the Kabul regional office of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, national agencies of the EU member states, etc.) presented their reports.

The second day of the dialogue was devoted to the interaction of the parties within the framework of the seventh phase of CADAP (2021-2024) concerning the application of an effective approach and internal procedures, and guidelines for combating drug trafficking.