Armenian Deputy Interior Minister, EU officials discuss cooperation  in combating drug trafficking 

ArmInfo. Armenian Deputy Interior Minister Armen Ghazaryan discussed prospects for cooperation in combating drugs at a meeting with the EU delegation led by Ilse Jacobsen, coordinator of the EU Drug Monitoring Program.

As reported by the press service of the Armenian Interior Ministry,  Jacobsen presented the main directions of the Drug Agncy's activities. In particular, he spoke about the work of the technical contact point of the Drug Observatory,  presented details of the developed manual, and spoke about the role of the early warning system in the context of drug monitoring and prevention.  In turn, the Deputy Interior Minister presented the department's policy in the fight against  drugs and the work aimed at developing a crime prevention strategy.

In the context of the visa liberalization dialogue, Ghazaryan emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation, outlining the opportunities for developing cooperation within the framework  of the public security component. The Deputy Minister also pointed out the need to enhance cooperation between Armenia and the EU police service, emphasizing the importance Armenia's appointment of a liaison officer to Europol. Ghazaryan also highlighted the  expansion  cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Service (Frontex), noting that it will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of border control and the fight against  crime. The meeting was also attended by the Head of the Main Criminal Police Department and Deputy Chief of Police Vardan Vardanyan. He presented the work of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Prevention of Trafficking  and Illicit of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, as well as the tools for combating transnational crime.