ECAD: Armenia’s interior minister highlights international cooperation in fight against drugs

Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan has participated in the High-Level International Meeting of the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD) on Addiction Prevention and Recovery, held on October 23 at the San Patrignano Community in Coriano, Rimini, Italy.

The minister delivered a speech outlining Armenia’s commitment to combating drugs and emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in this area.

Speeches were also delivered by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, and other senior officials.

Sargsyan thanked the governments of Italy and France for organizing the summit and bringing together representatives of different countries around a common goal.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sargsyan emphasized in her speech that drug trafficking has long become a cross-border challenge, affecting public health, communities and people’s lives.

She said that an effective response requires a comprehensive, balanced and people-centered approach involving not only reducing the availability of drugs, but also reducing vulnerabilities, strengthening resilience and providing the necessary support.

Sargsyan emphasized that addressing the drug problem was also identified as a priority in the joint declaration adopted by leaders in Yerevan on May 4, 2026.

Addressing the main challenges in this area, the minister highlighted the growing availability of synthetic drugs, the emergence of new psychoactive substances and the increasing role of digital platforms in their distribution.

In this context, she stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation, highlighting Armenia’s accession in 2023 to the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.

Sargsyan also outlined the steps Armenia has taken to combat drugs, emphasizing that, as part of the commitment undertaken at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Armenian government approved in June 2025 the Strategy for Combating the Non-Medical Use and Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, along with the resulting 2025–2027 action plan.

The minister explained that the strategy covers three interconnected areas: prevention; combating drug trafficking; and the treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of people with substance dependence.

“This is not just another policy document for us. It reflects a fundamental change in our approach to the problem. For Armenia, this strategy is an important step toward developing a more comprehensive and balanced national response,” Sargsyan said.

The minister stressed that effective drug policy cannot be limited to law enforcement measures alone. In this context, she highlighted the importance of the healthcare component, particularly the provision of free methadone treatment and the introduction of guidelines.

According to Sargsyan, Armenia is consistently strengthening its capacity to combat drug trafficking and organized criminal groups as a key prerequisite for protecting public health and security.

The minister also addressed the importance of integrated border management.

“As Armenia’s chief negotiator in the EU visa liberalization process, I would like to emphasize that integrated border management is a key priority and will contribute to our efforts to combat cross-border crime, including drug trafficking,” she said.

Addressing international cooperation, Sargsyan said that work on a working arrangement with the European Union Drugs Agency was in its final stages. Cooperation with partners through INTERPOL and Europol is also continuing.

At the conclusion of her speech, Sargsyan expressed confidence that the commitments undertaken during the summit would translate into significant and tangible progress toward overcoming shared challenges.

She also expressed hope that international cooperation would continue to develop on the basis of shared responsibility for protecting public safety and health, supporting people affected by addiction, and building healthier and more resilient societies.

Armenia’s delegation to the meeting also included Deputy Minister of Health Lena Nanushyan, Head of the Yerevan City Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Criminal Police Hayk Harutyunyan, and other representatives.