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Interaction of G8 states in combating drug trafficking to be discussed at Sochi summit

International drug crime should be classified as a problem threatening not only the life and health of citizens, but also the security of states, FSKN Deputy Head said

BANGKOK, October 25 (Itar-Tass) - Interaction of the Group of Eight (G8) countries in combating drug trafficking will be one of the issues to be discussed at a G8 summit that will be held in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi in June 2014, Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) Oleg Safonov told Itar-Tass.

“All the necessary preparatory work is currently underway,” said Safonov.

He noted that the international drug crime should be classified as a problem threatening not only the life and health of citizens, but also the security of states. “We see how statehood is being destroyed in the countries where drugs are produced and through which major drug transit flows pass. The international community should develop new effective measures against drug-related crime in the world,” deputy director of the Federal Drug Control Service believes.

The FSKN also intends to invite the summit participants to the discussion of such an important issue as the “alternative development of countries and regions with the aim of getting rid of the drug economy.” “First of all, I mean an economy based on the production of drugs. These alternative development measures are especially important for Afghanistan and several countries in South America,” Oleg Safonov said.

In Bangkok, Safonov represented Russia at the 37th meeting of the heads of national law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking of the Asia- Pacific region, held from October 21 to 24.

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