“Silk Road economic belt” will contribute to fighting against the Afghan drug threat, the UN experts believe

Almaty. June 3. Silkroadnews – Building “Silk Road economic belt” proposed by China, along with the other regional initiatives, will help to ensure stable development of Afghanistan and overcome the drug threat coming from the territory of the country, such an opinion was expressed by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča, TASS reports.

According to expert, the fight against the Afghan drug threat goes with great difficulty and “currently, the problem is not solved”.  

“The problem remains, and it is very important to ensure a stable development in Afghanistan. We now see the situation is very serious in the country and we hope that its government headed by President (Ashraf) Ghani and Chief Executive (Prime Minister) Abdullah Abdullah will be able to overcome these challenges,” he said.

“The initiatives such as the “Silk road economic belt” proposed by China, and, if I am not mistaken, supported by the SCO countries, can also play a very big role, along with the regional cooperation projects, including infrastructure,” he added.

In particular, M. Jenča paid attention to the supply of electricity from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, as well as a project on gas pipeline construction through the country’s territory to Pakistan and India.

In April the UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said the conservative estimates showed the drugs production made about 20% of the country’s economy.