|
|
|
Map of Europe |
Email this citationCIAO DATE: 07/06
Combating the Proliferation and Impact ofSmall Arms and Light Weapons
May 2006
South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC)
Abstract
The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) has in recent years become recognized as a principal element of ongoing regional instability in various parts of the world. The recent conflicts in South East Europe are no exception as they have been fuelled and exacerbated by a plentiful supply of illicit arms and ammunition. In addition, easy access to SALW has further destabilized this part of Europe by contributing to organized crime activities such as trafficking and has the potential to support terrorism.
A number of international and regional agreements have recently been concluded that seek to define the problem and provide international, national and non-governmental actors with a roadmap for addressing it. The Stability Pact’s (Revised) Regional Implementation Plan aims to take that process a step further by building on the initial plan, providing a specific framework for next steps, supporting the regional mechanisms needed for carrying them out and mentioning the donor resources required for comprehensive implementation. The Plan does not seek to subsume or contradict existing agreements and arrangements but to build upon them in the most practical way possible.
At its core, the Revised Regional Implementation Plan seeks to enhance regional cooperation in this critical area, providing both information sharing and local standard setting geared toward direct project formulation and implementation. The Plan envisions continued SEESAC support to South East European SALW programmes, and recommends that SEE governments would continue to ensure the relevance, consistency and regional influence of the work of SEESAC through the Regional Steering Group (RSG) consisting of ‘national focal points’ to support these activities, donors will continue to consider the provision of appropriate resources. This plan was approved at the Stability Pact SALW Regional Steering Group meeting in Belgrade on 16 May 2006.
The emphasis of this programme is on moving forward with tangible projects resulting in a lasting reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Europe, not on setting up new international structures and obligations.
