SEESAC Presents on SALW at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

On 11-14 October 2013, SEESAC took part in the 59th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. This event brought together some 340 parliamentarians from the twenty eight NATO member countries, as well as delegates from partner countries and observers, to discuss and adopt Assembly reports and recommendations on current transatlantic security matters.

On this occasion, SEESAC held its presentation titled “Challenge of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Post-Conflict Situations” before the Science and Technology Committee (STC). Members of the NATO PA STC were informed about SEESACs mandate and portfolio as well as its position on challenges and lessons learned in addressing the problem of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the post conflict situations.

SEESAC commended the countries of the South East Europe (SEE) for the progress they have made over the last decade and argued that SEE should be promoted as a success model particularly of “East – East” or “South –South” cooperation and assistance to other post-conflict areas of the world.

At the opening plenary session, participants were addressed by the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Hugh Bayley, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipovic, the President of the Croatian Parliament, Josip Leko and NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The Annual Session concluded on Monday 14 October with additional addresses from senior policy makers and the adoption of the NATO PA policy recommendations for 2013.