§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Central Asian Drugs Action Plan since it was signed; how much the UK has contributed to it; and if he will make a statement.[141352]
§ Mr. RammellWe welcome and support the aims of the European Union's action plan to help tackle the issue of drugs in central Asia. The plan covers Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Ukbekistan and should also be seen in the context of significant UK and EU action in Afghanistan, which is the main source country for heroin trafficked through central Asia. The UK does not directly fund the action plan. However we provide bilateral assistance to countries in the region which supports the plan's overall aims and objectives.