THE EU/UNDP-FUNDED ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM ASSISTS JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS OF ARMENIA

ArmenPress
Sept 9 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: On 9 September 2004 in the building
of the Court of Cassation of Armenia, the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) held an official ceremony
to hand-over drug prevention equipment procured within the framework
of the South Caucasus Anti-Drug (SCAD) Program to judiciary in the
Republic of Armenia.

Nearly USD 35,000 worth of equipment was delivered to courts in each
of the country’s eleven regions. Equipment was also transferred to the
Court of Appeal, Court of Cassation and the Office of the Prosecutor
General. The new equipment will enhance the efficiency of the judges
and prosecutors dealing with drug control issues.

The overall objective of the SCAD Programme is to reduce drug
trafficking from and through the three South Caucasian countries
– Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – to EU member states. For this
purpose, the SCAD Programme has provided technical assistance to the
Police, Ministry of Justice, State Customs Committee, Ministry of
Health of Armenia and many local non-governmental organisations (NGO).

Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative, said: “Cooperation between UNDP, the EU and the
Armenian judicial system to prevent drug trafficking and abuse in
the country dates back to 2001, when the first phase of the SCAD
Programme was launched. Since then, important progress has been made.
The transfer of equipment today is aimed at building on the success
of the Programme by helping to further improve the efficiency of
anti-trafficking activities. The SCAD Programme is particularly
important because it promotes regional cooperation between the three
countries of the South Caucasus.”

Since 2001, the EU and UNDP have provided EUR 608,000 to the SCAD
Programme in Armenia. The Programme covers seven concrete objectives:
reinforcement and harmonisation of national drug control legislation;
drug control at the airport; strengthening of police intelligence
system; strengthening of land border interdiction capacities;
reinforcement of drug abuse monitoring systems; development of an
NGO network to deal with drug issues; prevention of drug abuse at
early stages.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress