FSKN criticizes NATO for unpreparedness to fight Afghan heroin, proposes that Iran step up cooperation
MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax) - Russia and Iran should step up cooperation in fighting Afghan heroin production as NATO is unwilling to resolve this problem, Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) Director Viktor Ivanov said.
"Naturally, NATO member countries do not have this goal although average European citizens are extremely concerned about drug production in Afghanistan," Ivanov told Iranian Interior Minister, head of the national anti-drug staff Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli in Moscow on Monday.
Large-scale drug production "has always been used for geopolitical purposes," Ivanov said.
In his opinion, Afghan drugs have a negative effect on the security of neighbor countries. "The main activity in that region, both political and military, is being conducted by an international contingent led by another organization, the North Atlantic Council," the FSKN director pointed out.
"We need to consolidate the efforts of regional countries," Ivanov added.
The FSKN chief and the Iranian interior minister signed an action plan for the exchange of information on drug trafficking and joint operations.
Ivanov has frequently criticized NATO and the United States, whose contingents are operating in Afghanistan, for its unwillingness to fight heroin production.
According to official Federal Drug Control Service statistics, 1.5 million of the 8 million Russian drug addicts are using Afghan heroin.
Ivanov said earlier that drugs were killing between 50,000 and 70,000 young Russians annually.