Bilateral agreements

Diversion of drug precursors is a problem with an obviously international dimension, spanning several continents. This is why co-operation between the EU and other countries has a very significant role to play in preventing relevant chemicals from ending up in the illicit manufacture of ecstasy and other dangerous substances.

At present the EU has agreements "on the prevention of diversion of precursors and chemical substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs" with 10 countries. Those are Turkey, a candidate country; the United States; Mexico; Chile; the five members of the Andean Community (Bolivia; Colombia; Ecuador; Peru; and Venezuela) and China (see pages 6 and 8).

Those agreements are all built on the same model. They provide for co-operation in trade monitoring and mutual administrative assistance.

In addition, the EU Council on 23 March 2009 adopted a mandate (see 9th item) for negotiating with Russia on co-operation against the trafficking of drug precursors.