Support to harmonization of legal framework with EU acquis
The Regional Workshop on the Harmonization of Legislation with the EU Acquis in Brussels serves as a vital platform for the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine to share updates on their legislative progress, address challenges, gain insights into recent changes in EU Acquis in these areas and challenges that the EU MS are facing with the implementation of legislation.
Efforts to harmonize arms control legislation with the EU regulatory framework continued across the region. SEESAC supported Serbia, in drafting a new Law on Weapons and Ammunition through a series of workshops. Montenegro saw progress in revising its Law on Civil Use of Explosives and developing a new Law on Weapons and Ammunition, supported by workshops and detailed gap analyses. In North Macedonia, expert guidance was provided in drafting Law on Civil Use of Explosives and the relevant bylaws. In Albania, a gap analysis and a table of concordance were completed for the draft Law on Weapons, advancing its alignment with EU regulatory framework. SEESAC provided also inputs to the Ukraine’s draft Law on the Civilian Circulation of Firearms.
Support to SALW control strategies
Several jurisdictions1 were assisted in evaluating and developing their new SALW Control Strategies. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the SALW Control Strategy and its Action Plan were renewed aligning with the Western Balkans SALW Control Revised Roadmap following several dedicated workshops. The SALW Control Strategy of Serbia, was evaluated, and a concept note for the new strategy was developed. Kosovo* adopted in 2024 the new SALW and Explosives Control Strategy and Action Plan, following SEESAC’s support. At a regional level, SEESAC developed an Emergency Protocol for the safe transport of small quantities of ammunition and explosives for destruction, providing standardized guidance applicable across the Western Balkans jurisdictions.
Several jurisdictions were assisted in evaluating and developing their new SALW Control Strategies. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the SALW Control Strategy and its Action Plan were renewed aligning with the Western Balkans SALW Control Revised Roadmap following several dedicated workshops. The SALW Control Strategy of Serbia, was evaluated, and a concept note for the new strategy was developed. Kosovo adopted in 2024 the new SALW and Explosives Control Strategy and Action Plan, following SEESAC’s support. At a regional level, SEESAC developed an Emergency Protocol for the safe transport of small quantities of ammunition and explosives for destruction, providing standardized guidance applicable across the Western Balkans jurisdictions.
In Ukraine, SEESAC contributed to a workshop organized by the OSCE and the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM) in October 2024 in Kyiv to support Ukraine in developing a strategic approach in combating the illicit trafficking of firearms, their components, and ammunition. Additionally, SEESAC organized a dedicated meeting with Ukrainian representatives at the regional meeting of the 20th SALW Commissions, focusing on SALW Control Strategy development, the legal framework on firearms, and countering arms trafficking.
1 For the United Nations Development Programme, references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
* For the European Union, this designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
