Summary: 8 December 2009, New York – Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden, at the Security Council Open Debate on Peace and Security in Africa: drug trafficking as a threat to international security, United Nations
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
This debate is indeed very timely. Drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime are posing increasingly difficult challenges to international peace and security. Apart from its devastating health and socio-economic effects, the narcotics business contributes to international instability and constitutes a threat to the security of States. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about a possible nexus between terrorist groups’ financing and narcotics profits. In some parts of the world, the huge profits generated through drug trafficking fuel corruption and undermine state authority, economic development and the rule of law.
Mr. President,
While the responsibility to address the narcotics problem rests primarily with Member States, the challenge is international and requires global and regional cooperation. The 2005 World Summit stressed the need to overcome the global narcotics problem through international cooperation and national strategies.
The UN and its different agencies have taken important steps to strengthen the international response to drug trafficking, both through international regulation and assistance in capacity-building. These efforts must continue. The European Union thanks the UNODC for its important work to assist Member States in building capacity to address illicit drugs, crime and terrorism.
Efforts must be integrated in peacekeeping operations, peacebuilding support and development cooperation. The European Union stands ready to support the UN in developing a more robust answer to new demands in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, including addressing drug trafficking, other forms of organised crime and corruption.
The EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-2012 outlines EU priorities in cooperating with third countries and regions. The action plan seeks to enhance international cooperation inter alia to address trafficking routes and prevent diversion of chemical production. The European Union has declared drug trafficking, especially the West and Central African route for storage and transit, a priority in the fight against organised crime. We are addressing the trans-regional nature of drug trafficking through a global programme, covering Latin America, the Caribbean and West Africa as well as other Maghreb countries. Efforts are undertaken in cooperation with UNODC.
Mr. President,
Transnational threats such as drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime affect all countries, but are particularly devastating for developing states and countries in transition.
In West Africa, criminal entrepreneurs have exploited vulnerabilities in the wake of armed conflicts across the region. Adding to the problem, Latin American drug traffickers have linked up with West African crime groups. The recently published threat assessment by UNODC paints a grim picture of the threat of organised crime to West Africa and to all of us. A similar picture is painted by the European Police Office, Europol. This shows the truly international character of the challenge we are facing.
As the link between Latin American drug cartels and West African traffickers is becoming more apparent, the EU has continued its support to Latin American efforts in relation to drug supply reduction, while at the same time trying to improve the intelligence coordination and practical cooperation between the two regions.
An important element of the European Union’s efforts in West Africa is the EU mission in support of security sector reform in Guinea Bissau. The EU and its Member States are also contributing to the struggle against drug trafficking in West Africa through some 70 projects aimed at institution building, policy support and law enforcement.
The European Union reaffirms its support to ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on illicit drug trafficking and organised crime. In July, UN agencies in cooperation with INTERPOL, launched the West Africa Coast Initiative, to work in synergy to support this regional plan. This was an important step towards strengthening the coherence of international response to organised crime in the region.
Mr. President,
Apart from West Africa and Latin America, the European Union is focusing efforts on helping Afghanistan address the drug trafficking problem. There has been some positive developments during the last two years with a decrease in opium poppy cultivation and greater regional counter-narcotics cooperation. However, the production and trafficking of drugs remain important sources of finance for insurgent groups and fuel for corruption.
The EU supports the National Drug Control Strategy and will maintain the counter-narcotics dialogue with Afghanistan. Our joint efforts are focused on law enforcement, public health and rural development programmes, including the promotion of alternative development. Regional stability is also of key importance. The Council of the European Union recently adopted a plan for strengthened action in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We will continue to pursue cooperation initiatives, strongly supporting UNODC activities in the region.
Mr. President,
The fight against the illicit traffic of drugs must focus on all aspects of supply and demand, as well as on illicit financial flows. Better regulatory frameworks and extended efforts in building national capacity in the areas of rule of law, socio-economic stability and public health are all central elements in meeting this challenge.
Let me assure you that the EU will continue to be an active partner in international and regional efforts to address the threat posed by drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime also in the period to come.
Thank you.
* Croatia and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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