Russia-EU consultations on drug issues took place on 15 September 2010 in Brussels. The Russian inter-agency delegation headed by Mr. S.Tarasenko, Deputy Director of the Department on New Challenges and Threats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, included representatives of the Federal Service for Narcotics Traffic Control, Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Russia to the European Union. The delegation of the European Union was composed of representatives of the Belgian Presidency, the European Commission, Europol, the European Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Representatives of several EU Member-States attended as observers.
Participants to the meeting discussed the drug situation in Russia and in the European Union and vital issues of enhancement of cooperation between relevant authorities of the Parties. They supported the initiative to convene the third Paris Pact Conference on combating drugs originating from Afghanistan in the beginning of 2011 in Vienna. The suppression of illicit trafficking in drug precursors to Afghanistan was envisaged as forward-looking sphere of cooperation.
In general the consultations were useful. They allowed Russian and EU experts to exchange information and identify common approaches to a number of topical issues of combating illegal production and trafficking of drugs.
