SEESAC Participates in EU’s 3rd Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference
The 3rd EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference took place on 4-5 September 2014 in Brussels and is an annual event gathering practitioners engaged in countering arms proliferation and promoting disarmament. This year, there were 280 participants from 57 countries – including representatives from seven international and regional organizations, and 79 think tanks and institutions.
SEESAC was invited to speak at a session entitled Regulating Small Arms, where it presented its approach to addressing the challenges posed by Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in South East Europe (SEE), and explained how its activities are contributing to the EU non-proliferation policy formulation and implementation.
Slobodan Boskovic, SEESAC Project Officer/Advisor outlined SEESAC’s decade-long practical experience in SEE, highlighting the principle of a comprehensive and holistic approach to the problems of SALW control. Specifically, Mr. Boskovic pressed the need for complementing processes of regional cooperation and Security Sector Reform as a way towards strengthening the overall security in SEE – while making sure that the principles of control and non-proliferation of SALW are deeply imbedded in each and every activity. In that respect, successful cooperation and partnership forged with the EU, as well as the favorably strong European integration process were mentioned as important success factors.
For a detailed insight into the Conference, specific sessions – and a recording of SEESAC’s address to the session Regulating Small Arms, you can visit the conference website.
ABOUT SEESAC
Since its inception in 2002, SEESAC has develop a considerable and unique network of partners including government institutions, international organizations, NGOs, media, donors and expert communities relevant for the work on SALW Control in South East Europe and beyond.
Taking on a role of a “SALW Control Focal Point,” SEESAC actively facilitates a continuous dialogue within this network, thus ensuring that confidence is built, the best ideas and practices are cross-fertilized, invaluable experiences shared and duplications of efforts avoided.
One of the key ways in which SEESAC helps sustain this important exchange is by attending relevant regional and international events.