Regional Workshop Brings into Focus Progress on Harmonization with EU Firearms Legislation

The Regional Workshop on the Harmonization of Legislation on Firearms and Explosives with the EU acquis took place on 1–2 October 2026 in Brussels. The workshop brought together delegations from the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, and experts from the EU to discuss legislative progress, implementation challenges, and the evolving EU framework governing firearms, explosives, pyrotechnics, and explosives precursors.

Organized by UNDP SEESAC, the workshop opened with remarks from H.E. Stephan Klement, EU Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, European External Action Service (EEAS), and Mr. Jose Romero Morgaz, Firearms & Explosives Team Leader, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME). Bringing in expertise from DG HOME and the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), it provided a platform for exchanges on practical steps towards further alignment with EU legislation and relevant international legal instruments.

Delegations shared updates on recent legislative developments, remaining gaps, and priorities for implementation. Discussions covered firearms marking and deactivation, alarm and signal weapons, import, export and transit controls, and the alignment of criminal legislation with the UN Firearms Protocol and EU framework. DG HOME experts offered insights into ongoing regulatory developments, including the proposal for a directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences, and the evaluation of the EU Firearms Directive. Exchanges explored practical questions concerning the classification and possession of alarm and signal weapons, as well as mechanisms for information sharing.

The discussions also examined the implementation of EU rules on explosives precursors, with particular attention to prohibition and licensing regimes, good practices, and common challenges.

Experts from DG GROW, CERTRUST, and the Federation of European Explosives Manufacturers (FEEM) also took part, contributing to the discussions on EU requirements for pyrotechnic articles and explosives for civil use. By connecting regional legislative priorities with EU expertise, the workshop supported a shared understanding of regulatory requirements and further efforts to harmonize legislation in the field of SALW control with the EU acquis.

This workshop was organized with funding from the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3006 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2587 in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe.