The Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke at a meeting of the Ministerial segment of the 62nd session of the UN Commission on narcotic drugs
THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Moscow is alarmed about the global spread of the threat of drug trafficking and calls on the international community to consolidate efforts in the fight against this challenge. This was stated by Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking Thursday at the meeting of the Ministerial segment of the 62nd session of the UN Commission on narcotic drugs, held in Vienna on 14 and 15 March. Video from the event published on the website of the office HE office on drugs and crime.
The Minister said that at a time when Russia and other countries are increasing activity in the anti-drug front, some States contribute to the proliferation of so-called soft drugs, reports TASS. Lavrov also said on the links between drug trafficking and terrorism.
“We are deeply alarmed at the legalization in some countries, cannabis under the pretext of its use for recreational purposes. It is the path to drug hell,” said Sergei Lavrov. He considers categorically unacceptable to hide behind in this situation human rights.
Moscow will continue to honor its international obligations in the field of drug control, but no country can cope alone with global drug threat, said the head of the Russian foreign Ministry.
He also stressed that terrorism and drug trafficking are closely linked. You need to take into account this fact and remember that the fight against trafficking is one of the important aspects in countering terrorism in General, Lavrov said.
In his speech at the high-level event “the UN and the SCO in the fight against drugs: cooperation to strengthen international drug control,” Sergei Lavrov mentioned that the elimination of the drug threat coming from Afghanistan are needed to strengthen security on the entire Eurasian continent.
On the sidelines of the session, the Russian foreign Minister discussed with his colleague from Venezuela Jorge Areasas efforts to resolve the crisis in the country. Lavrov confirmed Moscow’s position on the need to address the situation in this country in strict compliance with international law and the inadmissibility of military intervention from the outside. Arreaza promised “to fight in the framework of the UN” and expressed confidence in the victory. Lavrov expressed approval of this approach, colleagues.
During the meeting with European Commissioner for migration, home Affairs and citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos Lavrov said on the inadmissibility of the continuation of the EU “visa discrimination against residents of Crimea and Sevastopol”, and also said about the importance of creating conditions for the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
Out of the session the head of the Russian depodesta was received by the President of Austria Alexander van der Bellen. The conversation took place in a closed format in the office of the President at the Hofburg Palace. The sides discussed a number of issues of international politics and various issues of bilateral relations, including implementation of the forum “Sochi dialogue”, which should become a platform for networking of civil societies of the two countries.