Iraq and Syria Discuss Combatting Drug Trafficking Across Borders

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein stated today, during a meeting in Baghdad, that he discussed with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Miqdad ways to assist in eradicating drug smuggling across the shared border between the two countries. In a joint press conference with Miqdad, Hussein clarified that their discussions addressed how Iraq and Syria could work together to combat drug trafficking and movement, noting that "it is known that Iraq is a route for this movement, and unfortunately, drug consumption has begun in Iraqi society." He added, "The humanitarian crisis of Syrian refugees in Iraq, estimated at around 250,000 individuals, was also on the agenda of their bilateral talks." Hussein mentioned that Miqdad would also meet with the Iraqi president, prime minister, speaker of the parliament, and president of the Supreme Judicial Council during his visit to Baghdad.