EU and China hold the first dialogue on drugs and drugs control policies

Today, the EU and China officially launched a dialogue on drugs. During today’s videoconference, EU and Chinese representatives exchanged information on the drug situation and policies in the EU and in China, including the impact of the COVID pandemic in the area of drugs. Participants also discussed alternatives to coercive sanctions, alternative development, and new psychoactive substances, as well as exchanging experience and best practice in the field of drug rehabilitation and treatment within a public health approach. Finally, the dialogue allowed for an exchange of views on the EU and China positions in international fora on drugs, with a focus on the implementation of the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document and on the upcoming 64th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

Today’s dialogue follows the decision taken at the 20th EU-China Summit in 2018 where the two sides agreed on the importance of closer cooperation on addressing the world drug problem. The next dialogue on drugs will take place in 2022.