Roadmap for a sustainable solution to arms control in the Western Balkans by 2030 
Roadmap for a sustainable solution to arms control in the Western Balkans by 2024 

The Roadmap envisages the Western Balkans as a safer region and an exporter of security where comprehensive and sustainable mechanisms, fully harmonized with the EU and other international standards, are in place to identify, prevent, prosecute, and control the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of firearms, ammunition and explosives. Gender mainstreaming is an integral part of the Roadmap, ensuring that SALW control interventions reflect the different impact of firearms on women and men and address their specific needs. 

The Roadmap was developed by the Western Balkans authorities with SEESAC’s technical support and was adopted on 10 July 2018 at the London Summit, under the auspices of France and Germany, and in consultation with the European Union and other relevant actors. The revised text of the Roadmap for 2025-2030 was developed following the recommendations of a Mid-Term Review and the agreement by Western Balkans authorities to continue with its implementation beyond 2024.  

The implementation of the Roadmap contributes to the WB Roadmap’s compliance with international treaties, agreements, and strategic frameworks, including: 

• The UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), 2001 
• The Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transitional Organized Crime (UN Firearms Protocol), 2001
• The UN International SALW Tracing Instrument, 2005 
• The Arms Trade Treaty, 2013
• The EU Strategy Against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons & Their Ammunition - Council Conclusions, 19 November 2018
• EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking 2020-2025
• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 5: Gender Equality
  • Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    • Target 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and death rate everywhere), 
    • Target 16.4 By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime. 

The coordination and monitoring of the Western Balkans Roadmap is currently supported through the Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2587 of 15 December 2025 in support of the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe 

Combating the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons 
South East Europe Regional Implementation Plan
2014 

Combating the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons 
Stability Pact Regional Implementation Plan For South East Europe
Revised 2006 

Borba protiv širenja i uticaja lakog i malokalibarskog oružja                                  
Pakt za stabilnost Regionalni Plan Implementacije za Jugoistocnu Evropu
Revised 2006 

EU Council Decisions 

In support of SEESAC activities on SALW Control in South East Europe: 

• EU Council Decision 2025/2587
• EU Council Decision 2024/3006 
• EU Council Decision 2024/381, amending Decision 2019/2111 
• EU Council Decision 2022/2321
• EU Council Decision 2022/1654, amending Decision 2018/1788
• EU Council Decision 2021/2161, amending Decision 2018/1788
• EU Council Decision 2019/2113, amending Decision 2016/2356
• EU Council Decision 2019/2111
• EU Council Decision 2018/1788
• EU Council Decision 2016/2356
• EU Council Decision 2015/2051, amending Decision 2013/730
• EU Council Decision 2013/730
• EU Council Decision 2010/179
• EU Council Decision 2004/791, extending and amending Decision 2002/842
• EU Council Decision 2003/807, extending and amending Decision 2002/842
• EU Council Decision 2002/842

Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) 

On SEESAC’s activities in support to the Western Balkans Roadmap implementation: 

• IPA III 2025-2027 
  • Description of the action: Support for enhancing the fight against the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons in the Western Balkans (2026-2029)
• IPA II 2014-2020 
  • Description of the action: Support for enhancing the fight against the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans (2021-2025)
     

EU Documents on Countering Trafficking and the Proliferation of Firearms 

• EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking 2020-2025 (ALB)
• EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking 2020-2025 (BCMS)
• EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking 2020-2025 (MKD)
• Annexes to the EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking 2020-2025
• EU Joint Action 2002

EU Directives/Regulations 

Civil use of firearms and ammunition 

• Directive 2021/555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 March 2021 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons
• Regulation (EU) 2025/41 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on import, export and transit measures for firearms, essential components and ammunition, implementing Article 10 of the United Nations Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UN Firearms Protocol) 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2403 of 15 December 2015 establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/337 of 5 March 2018 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2403 establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable
• Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/68 of 16 January 2019 establishing technical specifications for the marking of firearms and their essential components under Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons
• Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/69 of 16 January 2019 laying down technical specifications for alarm and signal weapons under Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

Civil use of explosives  

• Regulation 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 98/2013
• Directive 2014/28/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market and supervision of explosives for civil use

Military use of FAE 

• Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment 
• User's Guide to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment (2015 edition)
• Council Common Position 2003/468/CFSP of 23 June 2003 on the control of arms brokering
• Directive 2009/43/EC  of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 simplifying terms and conditions of transfers of defence-related products within the Community
• Directive 2009/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the coordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of defence and security, and amending Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC
• Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items
• EU - Code of Conduct on Arms Exports

EU Common Military List  

• EU Common Military List 2025
• EU Common Military List 2023
• EU Common Military List 2022
• EU Common Military List 2020
• EU Common Military List 2019
• EU Common Military List 2018
• Changes to the EU Common Military List for 2018 in English and BCMS 
• EU Common Military List 2017
• EU Common Military List 2016
• EU Common Military List 2015
• Changes to the EU Common Military List for 2015 in English and BCMS
• EU Common Military List 2014
• Changes to the EU Common Military List for 2014 in English and BCMS 
• EU Common Military List 2013
• EU Common Military List 2012 
• Changes to the EU Common Military List for 2012 in English and BCMS 
• EU Common Military List 2011 

Other relevant EU Documents  

• Seventeenth Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy to Combat Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition 2014 
• Sixteenth Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy to Combat Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition 2014 
• Fifteenth Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy to Combat Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition 2014 
• Fourteenth progress report on the implementation of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition 2013 
• Twelfth Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition 2012 
• Tenth Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy to Combat Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition 2010 

• UN Security Resolution 2220 on Small Arms and Light Weapons (S/RES/2220) 
• UNGA Resolution 80/38 on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, 2025 (Previous Resolutions: 79/40, 2024; 78/46, 2023; 77/71, 2022; 76/232, 2021; 75/241, 2020; 74/60, 2019; 73/69, 2018; 72/57, 2017;  71/48, 2016; 70/49, 2015; 69/51, 2014; 68/48, 2013; 67/58, 2012; 66/47, 2011; 65/64, 2010; 64/50, 2009; 63/72, 2008; 62/47, 2007; 61/66, 2006; 60/81, 2005; 59/86, 2004; 58/241, 2003; 57/72, 2002); UNGA Resolution 56/24 on General and Complete Disarmament, 2001. 
• UNGA Resolution 79/31 on Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them, 2024. Previous resolutions: 78/54, 2023; 77/80, 2022; 76/32, 2021; 75/56, 2020; 74/51, 2019; 73/52, 2018; 72/40, 2017; 71/52, 2016; 70/29, 2015; 69/33, 2014; 68/34, 2013; 67/41, 2012; 66/34, 2011; 65/50, 2010; 64/30, 2009; 63/66, 2008; 62/22, 2007; 61/71, 2006; 60/71, 2005; 59/74, 2004; 58/58, 2003; 57/70, 2002; 56/24U, 2001; 55/33F, 2000; 54/54J, 1999; 53/77B, 1998) 
• Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management (A/78/111, annex), 2023 
• UNGA Resolution 79/54 of 2024 and Resolution 78/47 of 2023 on Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management (Previous Resolutions on Problems Arising from the Accumulation of Conventional Ammunition Stockpiles in Surplus 76/233, 2021; 74/65, 2019; 72/55, 2017; 70/35, 2015; 68/52, 2013; 66/42, 2011; 64/51, 2009; 63/61, 2008; 61/72, 2006; 60/74, 2005) 
• Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, 2001
• Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials  - Adopted by General Assembly resolution 34/169 of 17 December 1979
• Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women - General Assembly resolution 48/104 of 20 December 1993
• UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security Adoption of the report on the fifty-eighth session to the Human Right Council - Draft report of the SubCommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights 24 August 2006
• Legislative Guides for the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol Thereto - Published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in October 2004

• The Wassanaar Arrangement

• OSCE Decision on the Control of Brokering in SALW
• OSCE Decision on EUC
• OSCE Decision on MANPADS 2003
• OSCE Decision on MANPADS (Export Controls) 2004
• OSCE Document on Ammunition
• OSCE Plan of Action on SALW 2010
• OSCE - Decision on SALW and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition
• OSCE - Handbook of Best Practices on Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/344 of 18 February 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/3097 in support of the comprehensive programme on supporting efforts to prevent and combat illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition in South-Eastern Europe (OSCE)  
• Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3097 of 5 December 2024 in support of the comprehensive programme on supporting efforts to prevent and combat illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition in South-Eastern Europe (OSCE)