SEESAC Contributes to Discussion on Enhancing European Customs Capacity and Cooperation to Prevent and Combat Smuggling of Firearms

Organised by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Conference to Prevent and Combat Smuggling of Firearms in the Context of Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine took place in Stockholm, Sweden on 14–15 February. The two-day event gathered experts from the EU Member States and other European countries, customs agencies and international organisations who discussed possible measures to strengthen customs cooperation in the field.

As security is one of the core priorities of the Swedish Presidency and having in mind the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, strengthening customs cooperation and mitigating the effects of the invasion are the prerequisites for reducing proliferation, trafficking, and misuse of illegal firearms across Europe.

“Illegal firearms remain a threat to Europe, and responding to citizens’ legitimate demands for safe and secure communities is a priority of the Swedish Presidency. This conference was an important step towards furthering customs cooperation to mitigate the risks that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine presents. Cross-border cooperation is key to preventing the smuggling of firearms,” said Swedish Minister for Justice, Mr. Gunnar Strömmer, who opened the conference.

Through several panel discussions and sessions, the conference focused on how to improve and facilitate the exchange of information between customs authorities, how to improve and intensify cross-border cooperation, and how to enhance the capacity of customs authorities.

Head of SEESAC, Ms. Bojana Balon, and SEESAC’s SALW Project Specialist, Ms. Jelena Bujaković participated in two panel discussions and presented SEESAC’s 20 year-long experience of combating trafficking and illicit possession of firearms in South East Europe. Focusing on the work SEESAC is conducting together with the region’s authorities, they presented achievements and challenges in the implementation of the Roadmap for a Sustainable Solution to the Illegal Possession, Misuse and Trafficking of SALW and Their Ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 and work of the South East Europe Firearms Experts Network (SEEFEN). They also underlined the importance of joining the efforts of various actors from across South East Europe and the European Union for achieving effective results in the field.

The conference gathered approximately 100 representatives from customs agencies and experts from the European Commission, the OSCE, Frontex and Europol, among others, to find possible measures to strengthen customs cooperation and to combat the smuggling of firearms. Among the conclusions reached at the conference was the importance of furthering information exchange and intensifying cross-border cooperation, including joint operations, between customs authorities and other law enforcement authorities.

 

Photo: Josefine Stenersen/Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU

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