P-PG/MinConf (2010) 6
4 November 2010
Declaration adopted at the
15th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group
1. We, the Ministers of the participating States and representatives of the European Union meeting at the Ministerial Conference of the Co-operation Group to Combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking (hereafter Pompidou Group) on 3 and 4 November 2010, in Strasbourg:
1.1. ascertain that drugs continue to be a threat to public health;
1.2. are concerned with the threat of illicit drug trafficking to the safety and public order in societies;
1.3. underline that a balanced approach in dealing with demand and supply reduction is indispensible for any successful drug policy;
1.4. are dedicated to bringing human rights to the forefront of drug policies;
1.5. are convinced that safeguarding human rights can contribute to an increased effectiveness of measures dealing with drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking;
1.6. are dedicated to strengthening constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries which are not members of the Pompidou Group, within and neighbouring Europe;
1.7. call for further efforts to explore the full potential of coherent and integrated policies in dealing with the abuse of licit and illicit drugs.
2. Whilst
2.1. recalling the pivotal role of the Council of Europe in safeguarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe;
2.2. bearing in mind the mission of the Pompidou Group;
2.3. taking note of the results contained in the report of 2007-2010 Work Programme of the Pompidou Group;
2.4. taking note of the revised structure and working methods adopted by the Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group;
We reaffirm our commitment to the Pompidou Group as a unique and flexible forum in Europe to address policy, research and practice in open debate, which contributes to reducing drug abuse, and combating illicit trafficking and the adverse effects.
3. We, the Ministers underline the innovative role of the Pompidou Group and give mandate to Permanent Correspondents to initiate projects at all times to address emerging concerns of policy makers in a timely manner and adopt the 2011-2014 Work Programme for the Group. Therefore, the Ministers and Government Representatives meeting at the Ministerial Conference mandate the Pompidou Group to:
3.1. contribute to the development of multidisciplinary, innovative and evidence based drug policies in its Member States;
3.2. link policy, practice and science by bringing together related professionals and policy makers in those different fields and focus on the local implementation of drug programmes;
3.3. be a forum for open discussion and joint action, through its Permanent Correspondents and providing them with expertise through specialised committees and working groups;
3.4. play a bridging role between East and West, North and South, within and beyond the borders of Europe;
3.5. strengthen the development of preventive actions, where possible evidence based, specifically targeted towards young people and children;
3.6. contribute to strengthening the capacity and competence in combating drug-related organised crime and illicit drug trafficking;
3.7. create and further develop the links with civil society and promote active cooperation between the governmental and non-governmental sector;
3.8. ensure a balanced approach between demand and supply reduction in its programme of activities;
3.9. actively promote the human rights dimension in the development of drug strategies and policies in Europe and pursue its ethical reflection;
3.10. further develop its programmes to enhance the development and exchange of knowledge and experience between Member States and beyond, in particular within and neighbouring Europe;
3.11. foster direct cooperation between stakeholders in the supply reduction field, notably the cooperation between law enforcement and customs agencies at national and international level, with particular attention to the fields of civil aviation and the diversion of chemical precursors.
4. In conducting its work the Pompidou Group shall:
4.1. continue to develop and make full use of its tools to conduct transversal and multidisciplinary work;
4.2. organise the work and activities in a way that demand and supply reduction issues are balanced and receive equally due attention in the work of the Group;
4.3. explore the development of innovative communication and education tools to more effectively send messages to the general public and specific target groups;
4.4. seek the involvement of civil society, particularly through youth participation;
4.5. collaborate with other sectors of the Council of Europe working on drug-related crime, combating organised crime, trafficking of human beings, money-laundering and youth and children’s policies;
4.6. cooperate on the basis of complementarity with other International Organisations, namely by establishing joint cooperation programmes with the European Union, and enhancing technical cooperation with the European Union, in particular the European Commission, EMCDDA and EUROPOL, the United Nations, in particular UNODC, INCB, UNAIDS, WHO, as well as WCO and Interpol.
5. To ensure an effective implementation of the 2011-2014 Work Programme we commit to actively participate in the Pompidou Group’s activities; and to make the best use of the Group’s products and outputs with a view to create a significant impact on society, by:
5.1. promoting visibility of the Pompidou Group at all levels of drug policy development and management;
5.2. supporting successful projects, such as the Mediterranean Network (MedNET), the EXASS Network and Life-skills training programmes;
5.3. strengthening the constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries which are not members of the Pompidou Group, within and neighbouring Europe;
5.4. consolidating the membership of the Pompidou Group, particularly through the active participation of all Member States.