On behalf of the European Commission Delegation to BiH, Mr. Constantino Longares, Head of Operation Section III and Ms. Christine McNab, UNDP resident Representative to BiH, signed a contract for the Project of reduction and control of small arms and light weapons – SACBiH  in Sarajevo today.

Signing ceremony was also a formal beginning of the implementation of the project, the aim of which is to cooperate with the BiH authorities to reduce the risks of uncontrolled presence of small arms and light weapons that represent a threat to security of people in the country. The European Union’s support to the project activities amounts to Euro 2.72 million, while the UNDP ensured co-financing in the amount close to Euro 325.000.

Mr. Longares underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina was making progress in many sectors on its path to the European Union, adding   that the reform of the state institutions, including the reform of the security sector, was not yet fully completed. One of the biggest challenges facing BiH is solving the issue of explosive devices left from the past war.  “We think that this is a very important task to continue with it and to have it accomplished one day. Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) will finance more initiatives that will bring Bosnia and Herzegovina in line with accession requirements in the near future.” – said Mr. Longares.

The UNDP will use the European Union funds for activities on disposal of small arms and ammunition, which include upgrade of demilitarized facilities to be used for these activities, and the destruction of gathered unstable weapons and ammunition, over the period of next 18 months. “Our minds have been focused on this problem, not only as theoretical idea that you should not have surplus arms and ammunition, but also as a reality of major catastrophes in other countries. I think that explosions in countries like Mozambique and Albania, and small ones in the neighbouring countries, have really shown that stockpiling of arms and ammunition, particularly when it is old and unstable, is a real threat to a security of people.” – stressed Ms. McNab during the signing ceremony.

It was emphasized that all of the activities aimed at solving the problem of uncontrolled presence of small arms and light weapons in BiH would not be possible without the financial support from the international community and without the commitment of the partners from BiH authorities.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina included the issue of control and reduction of small arms and light weapons on the list of its priorities. With the support from the UNDP, a numerous measures were undertaken in order to reduce the risk from the armament that represents a threat to human security all over the country.

It is estimated that BiH stock of small arms and light weapons were around 100.000 pieces and up to 24.000 tons of ammunition.