Russia’s drugs chief hailed a new agreement Thursday with Washington to boost joint anti-drug efforts, but he also urged the United States and NATO to do more to stop Afghan drugs.
The deal — signed by Gil Kerlikowske, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Federal Drug Control Service chief Viktor Ivanov — envisions setting up groups of experts to plan joint action in combating drugs and also steps to curb demand for drugs, toughen law enforcement, and coordinate legislation.
Kerlikowske told reporters after the meeting that he promised Ivanov to monitor and assess the U.S. and Afghan governments’ efforts to “interdict drug supplies.”
Ivanov hailed the agreement as a key component of U.S.-Russian efforts to “reset” relations, adding: “The efficiency of international drug-fighting efforts in Afghanistan needs to be strengthened,” Ivanov said.