Statement by H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden of Support for a Coordinated Approach to build National and Regional Capacities to Combat Drug Trafficking in West Africa.

United Nations, New York, 8 July 2009

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Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The European Union welcomes the initiative of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as well as INTERPOL to work in synergy to support the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan to address the growing problem of illicit trafficking, organized crime, and drug abuse in West Africa. The European Union very much shares the same concern about the increasing impact of drug trafficking crime on the political and socio-economic stability of the region and on human security.

The EU reaffirms its support to ECOWAS, regional Action Plan and welcomes its current achievements. In this context, increasing operational capacities of ECOWAS, its Commission as well as ECOWAS Member States, and their deeper involvement in addressing drug trafficking and organised crime are of utmost importance. The EU also underlines the importance of democratic governance, rule of law, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the eradication of poverty in addressing situations of weak and fragile states.

The EU ESDP mission to support SSR in Guinea Bissau is one example of the EU efforts in that region in order to improve the security situation.

Almost 25 per cent of the cocaine reaching the European market today is trafficked through West Africa. Ministers of Interior and Justice of the European Union adopted in late 2008 Council Conclusions designed to reinforce the law enforcement action of EU Member States in the struggle against drug trafficking in West Africa.

As a follow-up to the Council Conclusions, the EU has made an inventory of the current actions by EU Member States and the EU Commission contributing to the struggle against drug trafficking in West Africa. So far, more than 70 projects have been reported, mostly in the areas of institution building, policy support and law enforcement. The inventory will be an ongoing exercise, aiming at ensuring consistency of actions and identifying new operational actions that can be set up and activated at a short notice.

The EU is convinced that in order to reinforce the struggle against drug trafficking in West Africa, initiatives should be taken to improve the skills and experience especially of  the law enforcement agencies and the judicial systems of West African States, such as the Transnational Crime Units in the joint UN program concept.

In the EU drugs action plan for 2009-2012,  concerning relations with third countries and regions, trafficking routes such as West Africa are highlighted. The action plan initiates projects that are aimed at reducing the demand for and supply of drugs, including measures of alternative development and preventing the diversion of chemical production.

The present situation in West Africa indeed shows the urgent need to address non-conventional threats to peace and security of the regional and international levels such as illicit trafficking, organised crime and drug abuse.

The situation is complex and we have to tackle these threats in partnership within the UN and also on the regional level. In these processes the countries in West Africa and their institutions and their people will have to take the lead. The EU underlines the importance of supporting the joint UN program concept and the partnership which is unfolding.

Thank You