Azerbaijani President: “Illicit drugs and arms trafficking, as well as spread of other crimes in the territories occupied by Armenia pose a threat to the entire region”

President Ilham Aliyev has addressed to the participants of the 10th meeting of the intelligence heads of Black Sea and Caspian dialogue countries, APA reports.

The Head of State said that the intelligence, having a special place among government agencies, creates conditions for a stable and sustainable development of the state by ensuring the protection of national interests: “The emergence of new independent states over the last twenty years had a significant impact on the international relations. Regional closeness, similarity of problems and challenges faced by Black Sea and Caspian dialogue countries make us to share common interests.

Crimes such as terrorism, separatism, arms and drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal migration pose a serious threat to the states to live in peace. Therefore, effective implementation of the fight against transnational organized crime, along with socio-economic and political measures is important to achieve overall well-being and development of our people and to ensure their safety.

Illicit drugs and arms trafficking, as well as spread of other crimes in the territories of Azerbaijan Republic occupied by Armenia pose a threat to the entire region. In this context, the fight against transnational organized crime stipulates the cooperation of intelligence agencies of our countries.

I am sure that the promotion and deepening of cooperation between the intelligence agencies of our countries will increase the efficiency of fight against threats to global and regional security and modern challenges and create the possibility of a coordinated policy in this sphere.

Once again I urge you to join our efforts for the sake of peace, stability, tranquility and security.”