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Belarusian government, UN Office on Drugs and Crime sign memorandum of understanding

The Belarusian government and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have signed a memorandum of understanding on drugs control and crime prevention.

According to the Belarusian foreign ministry’s press office, the memorandum was inked by Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumaw and Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN agency, in Vienna on January 22.

The agreement reportedly sets out strategic areas of cooperation between Belarus and the UNODC in fighting international crime and trafficking in illicit drugs, as well as paves the way to expanding the agency’s activities in Belarus. “The signing of the memorandum testifies to the recognition of Belarus’ important role in stepping up international efforts in the fight against present-day challenges and threats, above all human trafficking,” the press office said.

Messrs. Navumaw and Costa also discussed plans for expanding the agency’s activities in Belarus, a visit by the UNODC executive director to Belarus and a coming human trafficking forum in Vienna.

“Mr. Costa expressed a high opinion of Belarus’ efforts in the cause of fighting human trafficking, stressing that our country is a world leader in the area. He expressed readiness to contribute to the implementation of Belarus’ initiatives aimed at combating this evil,” the press office said.

While in Vienna, the Belarusian minister also met with Eva Biaudet, the OSCE special representative and coordinator for combating trafficking in human beings, to discuss Minsk’s work in the sphere. “Mrs. Biaudet welcomed Belarus’ successful domestic policy aimed at combating human trafficking and our state’s active efforts in the international arena, including within the OSCE,” the press office said. //BelaPAN