Security of the armament and ammunition storage in Albania significantly improved with infrastructure works

Security of SALW and ammunition has been significantly improved with the USD 239,000 worth of upgrades of the Albanian Armed Forces permanent armament and ammunition storage in Qafe Molla. To mark the completion of the infrastructure improvements, the ceremony of handing over the works was held at the site on 16 December 2016.

Funded by the European Union (EU), the storage security upgrades worth USD 239,000 were implemented under Component 1 of the EU Support of SEESAC Disarmament and Arms Control Activities in South East Europe (EUSAC) project.

Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Petro Koçi, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Brian J. Williams and Representative of EU Delegation in Albania, EU Integration Officer Mr. Alvaro Benlloch Miranda attended the handover ceremony and unveiled the works.

"This project contributes positively to our efforts to enhance national capacities for the management and control of SALW by eliminating the conditions that can lead to loss of stockpiles and consequently misuse, dissemination or illegal trade of weapons by criminal elements", Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Petro Koçi emphasized during the ceremony.

“It is encouraging to see that the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Defence recognize that a strong, secure and efficient control and management systems of small arms and light weapons is a prerequisite for combatting illicit proliferation and trafficking of weapons”, the EU Integration Officer Mr. Alvaro Benlloch Miranda said during the ceremony adding that a total of 1.8 million EUR has been allocated for targeted armament and ammunition storage locations across the region as part of the  security infrastructure upgrades component of the EUSAC project.

“The improvements in the security infrastructure of this storage location, contribute to the overall effort to increase the security of stockpiles of SALW and their ammunition in Albania and beyond”, emphasized the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Brian J. Williams adding that UNDP and SEESAC firmly committed to continuing the strong partnership with the institutions in Albania and our partners in the European Union. “Together we can help achieve a safer and more secure country and region”, Mr. Williams highlighted.

The upgrades included building of a new perimeter fence in accordance with international security standards, installing of a new entrance gate, installation of exterior/outdoor lighting and procurement and installation of a full perimeter video surveillance of high technology (security cameras).

The upgrades serve to enhance the security of SALW and ammunition storage locations, leading to more efficient management of stockpiles and contributing to a holistic approach to SALW control. Effective management reduces the risk of loss of stocks, and consequently the illicit proliferation of SALW.

ABOUT EUSAC

EUSAC builds directly upon SEESAC’s decade-long SALW Control work, particularly achievements made through the previous EU-funded SALW Control project, conducted during the 2010-2012 period under the Council Decision 2010/179/CFSP. The project was designed in close cooperation with national authorities and work on the following five interrelated streams of activities:

• Increased security of stockpiles: through the renovation and security improvements to storages of arms and ammunition.
• Stockpile reduction: through the destruction of surplus arms and ammunition held in storages.
• Improved marking, tracing and registration of SALW: through the provision of support to the establishment or enhancement of existing weapons registration and record-keeping systems.
• Improved regional cooperation on awareness raising, information sharing and knowledge transfer: through the facilitation of regional cooperation between national institutions tasked with arms control.
• Implementation of collection and awareness raising campaigns.