Russia to contribute another $7.2 Mln to Kyrgyz fight against Afghan drugs
BISHKEK. Nov 20 (Interfax) - The Russian government will provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan as this Central Asian country moves to bolster its crackdown on drug trafficking, Russia's Deputy Ambassador to Bishkek Yevgeny Teryokhin said at the 2nd session of the State Coordination Committee for Drug Control.
"A program aimed at helping Kyrgyzstan's drug control services to enhance their potential was adopted in order to support the fight against Afghan drug trafficking," the diplomat was quoted as saying by the Russian Embassy's press service.
This program consists of two stages, the first of which spans the period from 2011 to 2014 and carries a price tag of over $6.6 million, Teryokhin said. The second stage of the program is expected to begin at the end of this year and will cost a further $7.2 million, he added.
"The main goals of this program include extending financial and technical aid, as well as incentives to the State Drug Control Service of Kyrgyzstan, creating conditions for its successful work, training specialists for the anti-drug services, constructing administrative buildings for the Kyrgyz drug control service, as well as ensuring [Kyrgyz] students' education at Siberian Law Institute of the [Russian] Federal Drug Control Service," he said.
Up to seven tonnes of heroin are smuggled across the territory of Kyrgyzstan every year, Teryokhin said. Of this amount, approximately one tonne of heroin is distributed within Kyrgyzstan itself, he said.
"Bearing in mind Kyrgyzstan's role as one of the main outposts in the fight against this threat, Russia has been taking all possible measures to help its Kyrgyz partners combat drug trafficking," the diplomat said.
