Dear conference participants!
Drug trafficking, which is considered one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century, poses a great danger for the future of mankind and, as a financial source of terrorism, is one of the gravest threats to international security.
The modern world is experiencing a deep sense of anxiety because of the use of military conflict zones for drug trafficking.
Azerbaijan has also been facing this problem for 20 years. The use by the armed forces of Armenia of our occupied territories for the production and transit of drugs creates conditions for the expansion of drug trafficking and international terrorism.
In order to ensure socioeconomic stability, protect public health, well-being and moral and spiritual values of people, Azerbaijan views the fight against drug addiction and drug trafficking as a national priority. As part of state programs being implemented in this area, the necessary legal framework has been created, institutional reforms implemented, and Azerbaijan has acceded to relevant international instruments and initiatives.
The conduct of such a conference in Azerbaijan in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Customs Organization demonstrates our country’s reliability as an international partner.
The opening of the European Regional Capacity Building Office of the World Customs Organization, while being an important event, coincides with a significant date for us – the 20th anniversary of the restoration of our independence.
I am sure that the discussion of all the problems we are faced with will provide the conference participants the opportunity to take advantage of the available international experience, further strengthen our cooperation and contribute to the joint fight against drug trafficking.
I wish the conference participants every success and all the best.
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku city, 14 October 2011
