The European Union has recently approved its 2000-2004 Drugs Strategy. The Strategy has a global, multidisciplinary, integrated and balanced approach, in which supply and demand reduction are seen as mutually reinforcing elements. In addition, the Strategy will continue to promote international co-operation, integration of drug control into EU development co-operation and will support the efforts of the United Nations and of the UNDCP in particular, to develop international co-operation, based on the principles adopted at the UNGASS in June 1998. I am pleased that these are the principles that the Hope 2000: International Conference for Drugs and HIV will take up. I would like to wish all participants on my behalf and on behalf of the European Commission a fruitful and successful Conference.

Yours sincerely,
David Byrne.
Commissioner of the European Communities.