EU and Turkmenistan Officials Convene for CADAP Technical Committee Meeting in Ashgabat
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: The latest meeting of the Technical Committee of the Central Asia Drug Action Program (CADAP) was held at the Archabil Hotel in Ashgabat, bringing together representatives from the European Union and the Government of Turkmenistan to assess progress, receive feedback, and explore opportunities for further program implementation.
The event saw participation from key stakeholders, including officials from the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), the EU Delegations to Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Turkmenistan. High-ranking representatives from the Government of Turkmenistan, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Ministry of National Security, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Migration Service, the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports, and the Magtymguly Youth Organization of Turkmenistan, were also in attendance. Additionally, members of civil society organizations, including Yenme, Ynamly Egindej, and Yash Yardamchy, took part in the discussions.
Opening the session, Yakup Saparov, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized Turkmenistan’s role as a key platform for multilateral discussions on promoting healthy lifestyles and combatting psychoactive substance use. He expressed appreciation for CADAP’s contributions, particularly in organizing significant regional conferences such as the Regional Conference on Strengthening the Capacities of Community and Prison Services in the Treatment and Prevention of Psychoactive Substance Use (November 26-27, 2024) and the International Conference on Strengthening Substance Use Prevention, Supply Reduction, and Development of National Expertise in Addictology and Treatment in Central Asia (November 27-28, 2024). These events, hosted in Ashgabat, attracted experts from Central Asia, the EU, and Latin America.
Borislav Dimitrov, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan, commended the efforts of the Turkmen government in combatting drug trafficking and consumption while reinforcing regional stability. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting evidence-based drug policies, strengthening national capacities, and fostering regional cooperation in Central Asia.
Cosimo Lamberti, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted Turkmenistan’s growing recognition as a neutral platform for international dialogue on critical issues such as security and drug-related challenges.
Beyond plenary discussions, the meeting included bilateral consultations between EU representatives and officials from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, focusing on collaborative initiatives to address drug-related concerns effectively.
According to an EU press release, CADAP remains dedicated to enhancing regional cooperation, advancing national capacities, and promoting evidence-based strategies to tackle drug-related challenges in Central Asia.
