Miklós Réthelyi the Hungarian National Resources Minister presented the European Union’s position to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) meeting in Vienna on March 21. In accordance with tradition, the European Union’s opening statement is done by the rotating presidency’s minister.
In his speech, Mr Réthelyi underlined the EU’s commitment to tackling the global drug problem with an integrated approach, taking into account the various branches of science in order to be able to provide a balanced solution. Brussels developed its drug strategy and the associated action plan for use between 2005 and 2012 in line with this approach.
Mr Réthelyi also stated that the EU welcomes the new drugs survey adopted in December 2010 during the 53rd CND session, which will help draw a more comprehensive picture about the drug situation in various countries, than the previously used survey. “One of the EU’s decisions, submitted by our country also underlines the importance of standardizing data collection methods” – said the Minister of National Resources.
The 54th CND session takes place in the UN Headquarters in Vienna from March 21-25 2011.The session is particularly important from Hungary’s perspective, as during the rotating presidency it is our country’s responsibility to coordinate the EU’s position.
This year, the EU will submit three proposals to the CND: one on the harmonization of the work of the drug laboratories, another –a Hungarian initiative- about the standardization of data collection methods, while the last proposal focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration strategies.
The CND is a central body of the UN, which sets out the global drug policy to be followed and its guidelines as well as monitors their implementation. During its annual session, the Commission examines the development of the global drug situation and develops proposals to strengthen the international drug control system and drug prevention, in order to more effectively address the global drug problem.