10:36 | Satipo (Junin region), Dec. 13.
The European Union (EU) expects to further strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and support more alternative crop projects in Peru, EU Ambassador to Peru Diego Mellado affirmed.
He restated the bloc's commitment to cooperating with Peru in the coming years, since the fight against drugs is a priority.
"I guess the announcement may be made soon. In the coming years, we are going to increase the budget for this global effort, as an alternative development and prevention measure. We will keep working," he added.
For instance, the 2017 budget earmarked almost €12 million (about US$14.1 million) in operations involving the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida) and the Peruvian National Police.
Mellado referred to the continued cooperation with the police, noting the training and the exchange of experiences with European counterparts.
"We have brought more than 150 police officers from the European Union over the past three years," the European envoy was quoted as saying.
"They came to explain their experience in the fight against drug trafficking and to pass it on to the Peruvian Police. This is a peer-to-peer training," he added.
Additionally, when asked about the anti-drug policy supported by Peru, the Ambassador emphasized a coherent global strategy has been implemented several years ago.
(END) JCR/CCR/RMB
Published: 12/13/2017