From 23 to 25 October, the “Enhancing Export Controls in Third Countries – Industry Outreach Seminar Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held in Jahorina, in the framework of an EU-funded regional project – EU Pilot project 2006 – Enhancing Export Controls in Third Countries.
The seminar is part of an EU project of co-operation with third countries in the field of export controls for dual-use items which may be used for civil and military purposes alike.
The event was organised by the EU, Germany and the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MOFTER). The main goals of the seminar were to exchange information on effective internal control procedures and to learn about BiH Export Control legislation.
Participants included experts from the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA); from the Slovakian Chamber of Commerce; The BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, the BiH Ministry of Security; the BiH Ministry of Defence, the BiH Indirect Taxation Authority; the Border Police, the Intelligence Service, as well as representatives of the Industrial sector.
Mr. Dragisa Mekic, Assistant Minister in the MOFTER, opened the seminar by emphasising the importance of co-operation between industry and authorities. The current legislation in BiH is completely in line with the EU rules and the UN Security Council resolution 1540, which aim at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He announced the publication of a handbook on export controls for industry in the near future.
Mr. Matthias Heinz, Economic Counsellor in the German Embassy, said that the co-operation of all states is necessary to prevent the misuse of these goods in the production of military items or weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Luc Steeman from the Delegation of the European Commission to BiH welcomed the commitment of the Government and industry in BiH to implement efficient export controls and stressed its importance for the country’s path towards European integration.
An important aspect of security is the effective control of sensitive dual use of goods and technologies. The European Security Strategy (ESS) of December 2003 identifies the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) as potentially the greatest threat to Europe’s security The EU works on a parallel track of improving its own practice and helping others to improve their own.
The authorities and industry of BiH and the EU share a common interest in a functioning system of export control: this is the only way to guarantee that BiH is regarded as a secure destination for sensitive goods.
Security does not begin or end at the EU’s borders – Europe must be engaged with partners and friends to help establish wider security. This is true for export controls as it is for any other security-related issue.
Export control makes sense at all levels. The EU has a growing range of policy interests but at its core is about sound economic and prosperous trade relations. Economic prosperity is essential to long term stability and democracy in BiH and in the region as a whole. Persistent efforts and structural reforms are required to establish functioning market economies, to achieve sustainable development, and to ensure employment. Demonstrating sound national export controls can facilitate the promotion of legitimate trade goals.
