CASM Presented at the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation

On 2 October 2013, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia (MOD) presented the goals and the results of the Capacity Development Programme for Conventional Ammunition Stockpile Management for the Republic of Serbia (CASM) at the Organization for the Security and Cooperation (OSCE) Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC).

Brigadier General Dr. Bojan Zrnic, Head of the MOD Defence Technologies Department and Chair of the CASM Executive Committee presented the project.   The meeting was also attended by Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski, SEESAC Coordinator and CASM project manager.

CASM is a joint development programme of the MOD, UNDP/SEESAC and OSCE that aims to improve capacity for conventional ammunition stockpile management by enhancing security and cooperation of conventional ammunition storage facilities, disposing of surplus ammunitions and strengthening demilitarization capacities of the MOD.

Following the presentation, the FSC rated CASM as highly successful and an excellent example of seamless cooperation between the UNDP, OSCE and the government of Serbia. Words of praise were notably received from the Representative of the European Union as well. 

CASM has thus far received substantial support for the implementation of its activities. Among the countries that donated funds or pledged to do so, are: Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Turkey, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Luxemburg, France and Hungary. Following the presentation at the FSC, Denmark pledged additional EUR 30,000 for the project.

Initiated in 2012, CASM has recently completed the first among its goals: the disposal of 161 tonnes of napalm powder surplus located in the MOD storages. Furthermore, the demilitarization of the White Phosphorus (WP) filled ammunition is currently ongoing at the TRZ Kragujevac. Upon the completion of that process, WP will be shipped to a location abroad to be disposed of according to all ecological standards.