In January 2022, Ukraine will become a full member of the Pompidou Group – Denys Monastyrskiy
Today, on October 28, the delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine took part in a solemn celebration on the occasion of the Pompidou Group’s 50th anniversary, an important international organization for combating drug addiction and drug trafficking.
During the official meeting, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrskiy confirmed the readiness of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine to represent Ukraine in the activities of the Pompidou Group together with the Ministry of Health, both at the expert level and as a permanent correspondent.
«We are honored to be present at a such historic event. On behalf of Ukraine, I congratulate the Pompidou Group on its 50th anniversary. I am pleased to say that cooperation between Ukraine and the Pompidou Group already has a previous success story. And from January 2022, Ukraine will become a full member of the Pompidou Group. Hence a new active stage in the development of the national anti-drug policy will begin for our country, the opening of an interstate dialogue, the exchange of best practices and effective cooperation» – Denys Monastyrskiy said.
The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine emphasized that this year, through the joint efforts of Ukrainian state authorities, the Strategy of State Drug Policy until 2030 has been developed, which retains all important principles set forth in the previous Strategy, developed with the support of the Pompidou Group. Currently the new Strategy is awaiting early approval and further effective implementation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó highlighted the problem of organized crime and supplying of a potent drug "opium" from Afghanistan.
In addition, he stressed the prominent role of Ukraine, which is expected from membership of the Pompidou Group, in preventing and combating these phenomena.
In turn, the Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić also congratulated Ukraine on joining the Pompidou Group.
It is worth noting that cooperation with the Pompidou Group will open up prospects for cooperation between law enforcement agencies – monitoring and prevention of drug addiction, treatment and rehabilitation of addicted people.
In addition, Ukrainian law enforcement officers will get an additional opportunity to adopt the best foreign practices in countering drug trafficking.
For reference: The Pompidou Group is a multinational organization that has been part of the Council of Europe since 1980.
The main task of the Pompidou Group includes the realization of a comprehensive study of the problems of drug abuse and their illicit trafficking, as well as the development and implementation of extensive measures to enforce drug addiction at the national, regional and local levels. As part of the European integration rate, Ukraine is planning to join the Pompidou Group in the near future (bill № 0114 of 06/18/2021).
Department of Communication of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
