Cutting the supply chain at source: Bosnia and Herzegovina destroys 200.000 pieces of ammunition

200.000 pieces of the 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition were destroyed in Bosnia and Herzegovina this October, with the support of the European Union and SEESAC.

Easily hidden and smuggled across borders, ammunition is highly proliferative. Surplus ammunition hosted in South East Europe still poses a threat to the safety and security of European citizens. Bullets can be stolen and make their way onto the black market. Ammunition destruction cuts the supply chain at source.

On 25 October 200,000 pieces of 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition were destroyed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition remains a bullet of choice for serious and organized crime in Europe and beyond. The destruction event in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a product of the combined action of the European Union (EU), United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina, SEESAC and the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities. This cooperation highlights once more the commitment of the international community and Bosnia and Herzegovina to combatting the illicit arms trade and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and its ammunition.

For the last 15 years, SEESAC has been EU`s partner of choice on disarmament in South East Europe, with over 118.000 SALW destroyed in the last 7 years. The EU and SEESAC are working together within the framework of EU COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2016/2356 to diminish the risks posed by SALW and ammunition in South East Europe.

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