Capacities of Western Balkan jurisdictions to counter the illicit trafficking of firearms assessed

During its missions in October and November, SEESAC conducted the needs assessment of the capacities of Border Services in the Western Balkan jurisdictions to counter the illicit trafficking of firearms, as part of the implementation of EU Council Decision 2018/1788.  The main objective of the needs assessment was to analyze the current situation, identify the existing gaps and challenges faced by the jurisdictions in effectively combating the illicit trafficking of firearms, and identify specific recommendations for further capacity building and support.

The assessments comprised the identification and analysis of the legislative and strategic framework, assessment of the administrative and institutional capacities and stocktaking of the existing technical equipment, including software programs and hardware devices, required for detecting illicit firearms and ammunition, performing efficient data collection and processing during risk analysis and other border police activities.

The results of the assessment will be utilized for the introduction of tailormade capacity development activities of Border Services that will envisage capacity development in terms of  equipment, technical assistance, training, development of SOPs, needed for the suppression of illicit trafficking of firearms, as part of the implementation of Council Decision 2019/2111 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South East Europe

The initial meetings in the jurisdictions resulted in the development of a detailed Methodology, covering all aspects of border control. This activity directly contributes to the implementation of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024.