Moscow supports Kabul in its effort to intensify the fight against the drug threat and expects effective realization of practical steps in this direction, the statement by the Russian MFA reads.
The Russian MFA noted that they considered the ban announced by the Afghan leadership on the cultivation of opium poppy, as well as on the production, sale, transportation and smuggling of all types of drugs as "an important step towards eradicating the drug problem in this country."
"We support Kabul to intensify the fight against the drug threat. Thus, the Taliban movement (banned in the Russian Federation), which had previously made public commitments to "free the state from drugs," is beginning to take practical steps to implement them. We count on the effective implementation of these decisions," said the ministry.
As stressed in Smolensk Square, today the drug industry has become a significant part of the Afghan economy. "According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the proceeds from the criminal business bring 9 to 14% of GDP. Such a situation also poses a threat to regional security. We are very concerned about the increasing number of cases of interception of drugs from Afghan territory in the countries of the region, which indicates the growth of smuggling drug flows," the report says.
"We believe that stopping the illegal drug trafficking would be a clear confirmation of the conscientious and responsible behavior of the new Afghan authorities seeking to make their country a full-fledged and responsible member of the world community," the Russian foreign ministry concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS