Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Feb. 20 / Trend D.Azizov /
Cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan and the U.S. are close and a fruitful collaboration has been established which is acting as a reliable barrier preventing the flow of drugs from neighbouring Afghanistan, Uzbek First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Major General Adham Ahmedbayev said at a meeting with the U.S. delegation.
The Ministry's press-service said the U.S. delegation was represented by director for the Middle East Region of the Anti-narcotics Department, Mark Destito and the attaché of the Office of Drug Control Programme of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Christopher Melink.
Representatives of Uzbekistan spoke in favour of strengthening cooperation as the problem of illicit trafficking and drugs spreading are part of the negative phenomena of our time Taken on a global scale it represents a real threat to virtually all countries in the world regardless of their political and social status.
It is therefore necessary to consolidate the states concerned in the fight against this evil and the efforts of the legal enforcement agencies must be placed at a higher and more productive level, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan believes.
Mr Destito said the U.S. is very positive about the role and efforts of Uzbekistan which aimed to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as understanding the importance of constructive relations with Uzbekistan on topical international and regional issues.
He expressed gratitude to the Interior Ministry and the Interior Academy for allowing the Drug Enforcement Administration to organise the practical training for operational staff of the anti-drug law enforcement units in Uzbekistan last year.
Carrying out joint measures to curb the spread of drugs, the exchange of confidential information and the technical equipment and training for law enforcement officers are the priority areas of bilateral cooperation, the U.S. representative said.
In the course of constructive dialogue promising targets for the joint fight against drug trafficking were also identified, the Uzbek Interior Ministry's press-service said.