In anticipation of the forthcoming UN Diplomatic Conference on Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) scheduled to take place in July 2012, several high-level officials representing the humanitarian, development and human rights organizations of the United Nations issued a joint statement underlining the dangers posed by the uncontrolled use and transfer of conventional weapons and their ammunition, and offered several recommendations aimed at addressing the problem.    ... read more

On 2 February 2012, the Serbian Ministry of Defense (MoD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) officially launched a joint Capacity Development Programme for Conventional Ammunition Stockpile Management for the Republic of Serbia (CASM). The initiation of the project was marked by an official exchange of the signed agreements between Mr. Dragan Sutanovac, Minister of Defence, Mr. William Infante, UNDP Resident Representative Republic of Serbia and Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.  ... read more

SEESAC’s work in support of transparent, efficient and responsible arms export control policies in the Western Balkans was recognized in an article published by the bi-weekly magazine ODBRANA, the official publication of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia,. The article “Civilian Control Enhances Trust” is featured in the 153rd issue of ODBRANA and it reviews a considerable improvement of arms export controls in Serbia, particularly in terms of transparency and reporting of all export/import activities of military and dual use goods. The article credited SEESAC as playing an important role in making this success possible.  ... read more

On 31 January 2012, a man armed with a bomb and a gun was apprehended by the Serbian police after taking three policemen hostage in the Cukarica police station in Belgrade, Serbia. The Serbian Police Union (SSP) condemned the assault and called for a more determined effort to collect and destroy surplus weapons, an increase of qualified personnel for the task, and adequate technical and management equipment and support.   ... read more

The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook is a concise and comprehensive reference tool on disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control issues around the world. It provides examples of successful and tangible results achieved in the realm of disarmament. In its 35th edition, covering the year 2010, SEESAC's efforts to encourage security cooperation in the region of South Eastern Europe were listed as an example of a successful accomplishment between the regional governments of the Western Balkans. This recognition of SEESAC's efforts came as a result of a successful implementation of activities in four areas, namely:   ... read more

On 26 January, the SEESAC team met with representatives of RACVIAC - Center for Security Cooperation in South East Europe. Ambassador Nikola Todorcevski, Director of RACVIAC and Lt Col Stefan Miene, RACVIAC Program Manager for Cooperative Security Environment  met with Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski, SEESAC Team Leader a.i., Bojana Balon WPON Project Manager and Iva Savic SEESAC’s Communications Officer to discuss ongoing activities and future opportunities for collaboration. SEESAC and RACVIAC overlap in many key focus areas such as security sector reform, international cooperation and arms control in Southeast Europe.  ... read more

On 23 January 2012, the U.S. Department of State published an overview of the dangers of poorly maintained ammunition storage sites and the importance of proper management and facility upgrades. The article entitled “Dangerous Depots” lists some of the many accidents at storage sites which took place in the period from 1995 to 2011 around the world. The article uses data collected by SEESAC to support some of its arguments.  ... read more

On 20 January 2012, another 76 crates containing 2044 pieces of small arms and light weapons were destroyed by the Croatian Ministry of Interior as a part of a larger project, the aim of which is improvement of safety through collection and elimination of illegal and surplus small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Croatia. The project is implemented jointly by SEESAC, with support of UNDP Croatia, and the Croatian Ministry of Interior.  ... read more

The Steering Committee of the South East Europe Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction (RASR) met on 17 January 2012 in Belgrade, Serbia.  Chaired by the SEESAC’s Team Leader a.i. Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski, the meeting was attended by RASR Steering Committee members Gregor Sancanin and Blaz Mihelic of the International Trust Fund (ITF), Scott Willason of NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA), Eric Berman from the Small Arms Survey (SAS) and John Hesford representing the US Embassy in Belgrade.  ... read more

Private security companies (PSC) in Serbia employ between 25,000 and 60,000 people, estimates the government of Serbia (GoS).  A recurrent misuse of power by such companies has prompted the GoS to issue a “Draft Law on Private Security Industry” stipulating rules and regulations for private security sector companies. The Draft has been submitted to the Parliament for consideration. Over the last decade, a number of factors have created a demand for private security provision in South Eastern Europe, ranging from high crime rates, to public corruption, and a legacy of inter-ethnic distrust in former conflict areas. According to the 2005 SEESAC Report on “SALW and Private Security Companies in South Eastern Europe" approximately 3,200 private security companies operate in Serbia  of which only 400 are registered with the Chamber of Commerce as of 2011.  ... read more