Tenth round of Roadmap Local Coordination Meetings in the Western Balkans

Six Local Coordination Meetings in the framework of the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on a sustainable solution to arms control in the Western Balkans (Roadmap) were organized by the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commissions in Podgorica, Pristina, Tirana, Sarajevo, Skopje, and Belgrade in November and December 2023.

During the 10th round of these meetings, SALW Commissions provided information on the progress, challenges, and needs as per the goals of the Roadmap, while the international organizations and donors presented the current and planned contributions in countering the proliferation and illicit trafficking of SALW, within the Roadmap framework.

The meetings served to highlight key achievements but also further progress needed in specific areas of the Roadmap implementation including harmonization of the legal framework with EU Acquis and compliance with UN Firearms Protocol, operationalization of Firearms Focal Points, strengthening of capacities for detection of firearms trafficking.

Additionally, these meetings were used to discuss the first draft of the Revised Roadmap for implementation beyond 2024.

High level representatives from EU Delegations, German and French embassies in each jurisdiction attended and spoke at the opening sessions of these meetings.

Following Local Coordination Meetings, representatives of SALW Commissions will come together on 19-20 December 2023 for the 10th Regional Coordination Meeting.

The organization of these meetings is supported with funding from the European Union through its Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2321 in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans.