DUSHANBE, March 31, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan of Tajikistan (DCA), Lieutenant-General Rustam Nazarzoda, yesterday met here with members of the evaluation mission of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), led by Mr. Charles Jakosa, according to the DCA press center.

The US Dept of State INL mission reportedly arrived in Tajikistan to carry out an independent evaluation of projects implemented in Tajikistan under financial support of the INL.

The sides discussed issues related to effectiveness of cooperation of Tajik counternarcotics agency with similar U.S. agencies, the source said.

In the course of the talks, Tajik drug control chief briefed INL representatives on the anti-drug initiatives of the Tajik government.

The meeting participants reportedly also discussed bilateral cooperation between the DCA and Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry in combating drug trafficking.

Nazarzoda appreciated INL’s support for technical equipment of the DCA and training of its specialists, the source noted.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) advises the U.S. President, Secretary of State, other bureaus in the Department of State, and other departments and agencies within the U.S. Government on the development of policies and programs to combat international narcotics and crime.  INL programs support two of the Department''s strategic goals: to reduce the entry of illegal drugs into the United States; and to minimize the impact of international crime on the United States and its citizens.