Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 September 2011, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a law “On ratification of the agreement among Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on creating the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (Astana, 24 July 2006)”.

Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan passed the law on 16 June 2011 and the Senate approved it on 27 August 2011.

The agreement is directed at expending regional cooperation of law enforcement bodies of the member states in fighting illegal drug turnover.

In accordance with the Agreement, the Centre will be a permanent body that will assist in the coordination of international operational activities to fight illegal drug trafficking.

Furthermore, the Centre will also be responsible for collecting, storing, protecting, analysing, and using information on cross-border crime associated with illegal drug trafficking.

According to the law, the State Commission of Uzbekistan on control over narcotics determined as National Coordination Body within the agreement.

Ministry of Interior Affairs, National Security Service, State Customs Committee, Prosecutor-General’s Office and National information-analytical center on controlling over narcotics under the Cabinet of Ministers determined as competitive bodies.

Deputy Chairperson of the State Commission of Uzbekistan on control over and director of the National information-analytical center on controlling over narcotics will be representative of Uzbekistan at Council of National Coordinators.