Key facts
- European leaders met in Brussels to address the illicit drug trade.
- The illicit drug market in the EU is estimated at €31 billion.
- Leaders called for enhanced coordination among EU institutions, member states, and international partners.
- The goal is to combat drug trafficking and related harms.
- Strategies to disrupt supply chains and reduce demand were discussed.
European leaders convened in Brussels for a summit focused on addressing the escalating illicit drug market. The market is estimated to be worth €31 billion annually. During the meeting, leaders emphasized the urgent need for enhanced coordination among European Union institutions, member states, and international partners. The primary goal is to combat drug trafficking and mitigate the associated harms, including crime, violence, and public health crises. Discussions centered on developing comprehensive strategies to disrupt drug supply chains, dismantle trafficking networks, and reduce drug demand through prevention and treatment programs. The summit highlighted the transnational nature of the drug trade and the necessity of a unified European approach to effectively counter this significant threat.