For information only - not an official document
UNIS/CP/769
12 June 2014
VIENNA, 12 June (UN Information Service) - In a meeting with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, today UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said that the numerous global challenges of drugs, crime and terrorism demanded greater interregional cooperation and coordination.
"This year will see the withdrawal of international actors from Afghanistan. In this post-2014 environment, there will be an increased need to enhance regional cooperation and support in the Central Asian region to help countries confront cross-border criminal activities, including terrorism," said Mr. Fedotov.
In his own comments during the meeting, President Sargsyan said that he welcomed the discussion on drugs, crime and terrorism and looked forward to further cooperation between Armenia and UNODC in the near future.
Armenia has made a number of advances in countering these threats over the years. It has ratified 14 out of the 19 universal legal instruments against terrorism, as well as the UN convention against Corruption, and the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. Armenia has had a specific offence against trafficking in persons since 2003.
The country, like many others in the region, also confronts large movements of heroin flowing from Afghanistan. Armenian customs officers, on 16 January this year, seized 927 kg of heroin in a lorry that had crossed the border from Iran.
President Sargsyan, who is on a official visit to Austria, was met by Mr. Fedotov in his capacity as the Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna. Also there to greet the president on his arrival at the Vienna International Centre were the other heads and representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
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For further information please contact:
David
Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
