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The Western Balkans Authorities Review Progress of the Roadmap Implementation, Reaffirming their Commitment to the Continuation of its Implementation Beyond 2025

The Western Balkans authorities assessed the progress in implementing the Roadmap for a Sustainable Solution to the Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their Ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 (Roadmap) during the 11th Regional Roadmap Coordination Meeting. Held in Podgorica, Montenegro, on 9-10 July 2024, the meeting convened over 100 participants both in person and online. Attendees included representatives from the SALW Commissions in the Western Balkans, international organisations involved in arms control in the region, and key donors such as the European Union, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

This meeting served as a platform to inform and coordinate ongoing activities aligned with the Roadmap’s specific goals, present data collected from narrative reports by the authorities, and discuss contributions from international and regional organisations engaged in arms control and donor support to counter firearm proliferation and illicit trafficking. Additionally, the revised text of the Roadmap for 2025-2030 was consolidated at the meeting.

The 11th Regional Progress Report on the Implementation of the Roadmap, covering the period from 1 July to 31 December 2023, was presented at the meeting. Prepared by SEESAC with inputs from six Western Balkan jurisdictions, the report highlighted key progress in the Roadmap’s implementation:

  • Most jurisdictions reported progress in further aligning their criminal codes with the UN Firearms Protocol, with three already reporting full compliance.
  • The adoption of a new SALW Control strategy was reported by one jurisdiction during the reporting period.
  • Capacities for the investigation, detection, and analysis of firearms-related criminal activities were strengthened, further enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
  • The operationalisation and reinforcement of Firearms Focal Points further enhanced the role of this vital mechanism for data analysis and information sharing.
  • Accreditation procedures for ballistic labs were reported as completed in at least two jurisdictions.
  • Increased participation in operational cooperation and information exchange at both regional and EU levels was reported, fostering a more comprehensive approach to tackling firearms-related crimes.
  • The highest number of seized firearms since the beginning of the Roadmap implementation has been reported.
  • Efforts were made to develop robust record-keeping and information management systems to facilitate the collection and analysis of firearms data.
  • A rise in the number of activities focused on raising awareness about the dangers associated with illicit possession and misuse of firearms is noted in the report.
  • The number of voluntarily surrendered firearms and ammunition reached a record high compared to previous years mainly due to the reported surrendered firearms in Belgrade.
  • Recognising the importance of security infrastructure, improvements continued in law enforcement storages. Security upgrades were reported as ongoing or completed in 30 evidence rooms across the region.
  • More than 3,000 firearms were destroyed in 2023, the highest number since 2019.

Additionally, during the reporting period, the authorities across the region reported through the Key Performance Indicators Report covering the period 1 January – 31 December 2023:

  • 5,893 firearms were reported to have been seized inland, while 350 firearms were seized at the borders.
  • 11,772 pieces of confiscated ammunition and 243,429 pieces of surplus ammunition, as 135 tones of surplus ammunition, were reported as destroyed.
  • 20,336 firearms and 84,898 ammunition pieces were reported as confiscated.
  • 1,184 firearms were deactivated.
  • 119,488 firearms and 4,206,865 pieces of ammunition were collected through voluntary surrender.
  • 38,972  firearms/SALW were reported as lost and/or stolen.

The meeting was opened with addresses from distinguished speakers.

Mr. Danilo Šaranović, Minister of Interior of Montenegro, highlighted the substantial achievements in aligning with EU Acquis and harmonising legal frameworks. He expressed gratitude to the EU, France, Germany, and other donors for their support, emphasised the Roadmap’s pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation and enhancing security, and stressed the importance of the agreement on the Roadmap for 2025-2030 to continue combating illegal SALW.

H.E. Olivier Caron, Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and the Fight against Organized Crime, France, commended the authorities’ dedication to the Roadmap implementation and emphasized the crucial role of SALW Commissions. He drew attention to significant achievements in SALW control in the Western Balkans and the importance of sustaining these results.

Dr. Benedikt Zanker, Head of Division for Conventional Arms Control, Federal Foreign Office of Germany, noted the Roadmap’s origins in the Berlin Process, aimed at fostering regional cooperation, contributing to the region’s stability and EU integration. He praised the impressive results in the seizure, voluntary surrender, and destruction of firearms, ammunition, and explosives and assured continued German support through political, financial, and technical assistance.

Mr. Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, underlined the significant progress of the Roadmap, particularly the alignment of the Criminal Code by Montenegro with the UN Firearm Protocol. He acknowledged the inspiring progress in the implementation of the Roadmap and its international recognition as a good practice. He emphasised the EU’s ongoing support, noting a contribution of 29 million euros since 2018.

Ms. Steliana Nedera, Manager at UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub, expressed gratitude for the jurisdictions’ unwavering dedication to the Roadmap implementation and stressed the importance of the Roadmap’s continuity beyond 2024, adding that the specific regional approach to SALW control implemented in the Western Balkans was frequently mentioned during the recent Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on SALW. She shared insights from the 11th Regional Roadmap Progress report and SEESAC’s Armed Violence Monitoring Platform, underscoring the significance of regional and subregional cooperation.

Mr. Shenasi Iseni, Senior Political Advisor at the Regional Cooperation Council, pointed out the Roadmap’s positive impact on regional stability and security. He gave emphasis on the commitment of jurisdictions to fully implement the Roadmap and extended his appreciation for their firm dedication to continuing this effort in the upcoming period.

During the last session of the Regional Coordination Meeting, the authorities agreed on the consolidated text of the Roadmap for implementation during 2025-2030. The revised text of the Roadmap was finalized following two rounds of consultations during the Roadmap local coordination meetings as well as the written feedback by key donors and implementing partners.

The Roadmap was developed by the Western Balkans authorities with SEESAC’s technical support, under the auspices of the Governments of Germany and France and with the support of the European Union and other relevant actors. It was adopted at the London Summit in July 2018.

The Regional Roadmap Coordination Meetings are organised with the funding support of the European Union through its Council Decision 2022/2321 in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans.

 

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