The Counter-Narcotics Training Academy in Kabul today inaugurated
an extension that more than doubles its capacity from 200 to 440
students, with funding from the European Union (EU) and France.

The Academy, which was established in 2004, is currently
supported by the EU-backed Provincial Governance Programme
administered by IOM. It trains Afghanistan's 3,200-strong
counter-narcotics police force, which is tasked to eliminate
illicit narcotics production, trafficking and abuse in the
country.

The EUR 600,000 extension project, which was implemented by
French NGO Afrane Development, in close cooperation with French
civil-military (CIMIC) teams, was inaugurated today by EU Head of
Delegation  Ambassador Vygaudas Ušackas, French Deputy
Ambassador Frederic Journes, Afghan Deputy Interior Minister for
Counter-Narcotics Lt. General Mohammad Dawood Daud and IOM
Afghanistan Chief of Mission Marco Boasso.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Ušackas underlined
the seriousness of the narcotics problem in Afghanistan. "The
(narcotics) industry undermines national economic development,
challenges government legitimacy and threatens stability and
security efforts in Afghanistan and across the region. The EU and
the international community will continue to work towards
supporting initiatives towards tackling this widespread epidemic,"
he said.

Lt. General Mohammad Dawood Daud, welcomed the project and said
that he hoped that the Academy would emerge as a regional training
centre, testifying to Afghanistan's commitment to the fight against
international drug trafficking and its desire to work closely in
partnership with neighbouring countries.

IOM administers the Provincial Governance Programme by
facilitating the project implementation cycles from
information-sharing, needs assessment, applications review,
contracting and funds disbursement, through monitoring. All
approved projects are implemented in support of the Afghanistan
National Development Strategy (ANDS).    

Since 2002, the Delegation of the EU has disbursed EUR 1.55
billion for the reconstruction and stabilization of Afghanistan.
The priorities for its development assistance during the period
2007-2010 lie in six key areas: rural development, governance,
health, social protection, mine action and regional cooperation.
Counter-narcotics initiatives remain an integral part of the
Delegation's endeavour towards enhancing good governance across
Afghanistan.

For further information please contact:

Enira Krdzalic

IOM Kabul

Mobile: +93 (700) 275 910

E-mail: "mailto:ekrdzalic@iom.int">ekrdzalic@iom.int

or

Meghna Singh

Delegation of the EU in Kabul

Mobile: +93 (0)799 44 39 11

E-mail: "mailto:meghna.singh@ec.europa.eu">meghna.singh@ec.europa.eu