Progress in the implementation of the SALW Control Roadmap reviewed in the High Level Meeting

The European Commission, in close cooperation with the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European External Action Service, hosted a high-level meeting in Brussels on 16 May 2023 to discuss the implementation of specific actions of the EU action plan on firearms trafficking, including the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap.

The meeting gathered Ministers of Interior and representatives of Ministries of Foreign Affairs from the Western Balkans, representatives of EU member states, Moldova and Ukraine, and key international organisations, with the aim to review progress and discuss the way forward.

In the Western Balkans a number of firearms incidents involving victims is in decrease since 2019, but majority is still committed with illegal firearms. Since 2018, over 22,500 pieces of firearms were seized, over 136,000 voluntary surrendered and over 52,000 pieces of firearms destroyed. Progress was made in harmonisation of legislation with the EU acquis as well as in strengthening the capacities of authorities for detection and investigation of firearms related crimes. Progress in the implementation is closely monitored by SEESAC.

“We share a common objective - to increase the European security, to protect all of our citizens - be it here, in the European Union, and also, and I want to stress it, in our future Member States.”

Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU/Vice-President of the European Commission

“You have not made only your own homes safer, you have made the whole of Europe safer.”

Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner

“Worldwide, armed violence is still alarmingly prevalent. More human rights abuses are committed with small arms than with any other means. We have witnessed tragic events in the region recently, which resulted in the loss of 17 lives and left 21 injured, and these must serve as a grim reminder of the imperative to continue efforts in reducing the misuse and proliferation of firearms and in addressing the root causes of violence in our societies.”

Ivana Živković, UNDP Director of Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States

More information:

Leaflet on progress in the implementation of Western Balkans Roadmap

Opening of the meeting:

Photos: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/reportage/P-061053

Video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-241099

Coverage of the meeting by the Western Balkan authorities:

- Sarajevo

- Skopje