12th Round of Roadmap Local Coordination Meetings

In November 2024, Local Coordination Meetings were organized by the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Commissions in Podgorica, Pristina, Tirana, Sarajevo, Skopje and Belgrade. These meetings were held in the framework of the implementation of the Roadmap on a sustainable solution to arms control in the Western Balkans (Roadmap).

During this 12th round of meetings, the SALW Commissions provided updates on progress, challenges, and needs in line with the Roadmap’s Goals. International organizations and donors also shared their current and planned contributions to combating the proliferation and illicit trafficking of SALW within the framework of the Roadmap.

The meetings highlighted key achievements and identified areas needing further progress, including the harmonization of the legal framework with the EU Acquis and compliance with the UN Firearms Protocol, the operationalization of Firearms Focal Points, and the strengthening of capacities for detecting firearms trafficking.

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

Following these Local Coordination Meetings, SALW Commission representatives will gather on 10-11 December 2024, for the 12th 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.