ECAD: Armenian interior minister holds bilateral meetings on drug prevention and law enforcement

Armenian Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan held a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the High-Level International Meeting of the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD) on Addiction Prevention and Recovery, held at the San Patrignano Community in Coriano, Rimini, Italy.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy, Vladimir Karapetyan, also participated in the meetings.

During a meeting with Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, French Minister Delegate attached to the Minister of the Interior, the sides discussed opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in developing the capabilities of the Police Guard and exchanging experience.

The sides emphasized the importance of cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking, including the exchange of experience in law enforcement and addiction treatment.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the meeting with UK Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety Diana Johnson focused on measures to prevent the involvement of minors in illicit drug trafficking and protect them. The sides discussed procedures outlined in a protocol developed by the British side and agreed to exchange experience.

During a meeting with Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs Daniella Misail-Nichitin, the sides explored opportunities to expand cooperation in combating organized crime, hybrid threats and cybercrime.

Particular attention was paid to developing capabilities to detect crimes committed using cryptocurrencies.

The ministers also discussed cooperation between the educational institutions of the two countries’ interior ministries.