Arms smuggling is one of the biggest problems facing Bosnia and Herzegovina and the countries of the region, and it is necessary to find the best solution for its reduction, said BiH Minister of Security Nenad Nešić.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is hosting the Regional Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of the “Roadmap for a Sustainable Solution to Suppression of Illegal Possession, Abuse and Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons and Related Ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024”.
During the meeting, Nešić pointed out that the latest incidents involving the misuse of firearms on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia represent a great reminder and warning for everyone.
“The tragic experiences that befell us in those events, unfortunately, speak of the fact that in the coming period we must be even more focused on creating a safe environment in which the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, other countries of the region and the European Union should live,” the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina pointed out.
He also presented some of the most significant results that BiH has achieved in the past period in cooperation with international partners and countries in the region.
As he stated, with the cooperation of all police agencies in BiH, in the past five years, about 25,000 pieces and parts of small arms and light weapons were collected and destroyed, which represents a significant increase compared to the previous period.
“The security of storage capacities of police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been improved at 17 locations, the capacities of officers of the Border Police and the Directorate for Indirect Taxation, as well as other competent police agencies in BiH in the fight against illegal arms trade, have been strengthened,” added Nešić.
At the conference in Sarajevo, which is being implemented with the support of the EU and SEESAC, representatives from the entire region presented the measures implemented so far, and discussed the coordination of future joint activities.
