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Russia to continue to observe international obligations in sphere of drug control

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recalled that in late 2017, the heads of the International Narcotics Control Board visited Russia, and a "constructive dialogue" was held

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

VIENNA, March 14. /TASS/. Moscow will continue to observe the undertaken international obligations in the sphere of drug control, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in his speech at the ministerial segment of the 62nd session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on Thursday.

He pointed out that in late 2017 the heads of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) visited Russia. "A constructive dialogue on all aspects of the situation with drugs in Russia was held. We will continue to constructively cooperate with the INCB further on, observing the undertaken international legal obligations in the sphere of drug control," Lavrov stressed.

"The long-term activity of the INCB deserves a high evaluation from the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. We expect the corresponding Russian initiative that was introduced at the current session to be approved," the minister said.

"So, we proceed from the fact that only states that honestly perform the regulations of the UN convention have the moral right to take part in the CND’s operation. Any other approach may undermine the authority of the commission - the main decision-making body of the UN system in the sphere of drug control," the Russian foreign minister said.

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