The Montenegrin border police better prepared for the fight against illicit firearms trafficking, with the support of the EU and UNDP
The Border Police of Montenegro received one million euros worth of equipment in support to their efforts to counter illicit firearms trafficking, which was donated by the EU through the UNDP SEESAC program. The donated equipment will be used for the control and monitoring of the state border, with the aim to more effectively combat the illegal trafficking and misuse of firearms making this way Montenegrin borders safer and more secure.
The handover ceremony of the donation of equipment was attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Novica Obradović, Acting assistant director of the Border Police Sector in Montenegro, Milutin Vasiljević, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova and deputy head of the Cooperation Sector in the EU Delegation, Liselotte Isaksson.
„Today's donation especially gives the visibility and importance of stopping the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The equipment we received from UNDP SEESAC, from EU financial resources, will enable us to significantly strengthen our capacities in this area, and we are grateful for the overall support of our partners, not only when it comes to donations, but also the creation and adoption of strategic documents and training of police officers. Montenegro remains strongly committed to the preservation of international peace and security, and the fight against organized crime and terrorism.“tated the State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Novica Obradović
Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, noted that the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of firearms continue to have a real impact on people’s lives, recalling that more human rights abuses are committed with small arms than with any other means.
„The equipment worth around 1 million euros, which is provided with the support of our longstanding partner, European Union, is only one part of the comprehensive support that UNDP through SEESAC is providing to the Montenegrin Border Police. In the upcoming period, we will continue our support with a specific focus to the area of combating misuse and illicit trafficking of firearms. UNDP remains committed to fostering sustainable solutions when it comes to preserving peace and security and stands ready to further support Montenegro as it progresses towards achieving international standards and sustainable development goals.”UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, said
„Weapon control is very high on the EU agenda. The problem of illicit firearms and accompanying ammunition continues to contribute to instability and violence within the EU the Western Balkans. This is why we donated today this valuable equipment worth one million EUR. THE EU has been providing continuous financial support to Montenegro and other countries of the region - through SEESAC and other similar initiatives - to keep national borders more secure, and the society safer from violent crime. Our support to the Montenegrin border police will continue in the years to come.“
LiseloTte IsaksSon, deputy head of the Cooperation Sector in the EU Delegation, said
This donation is only a part of the overall support of the EU and UNDP to the Border Police in Montenegro through SEESAC program, which contributes to the safety of citizens in the entire region. In the same line of support, relevant Standard Operating Procedures regarding firearms for the Border Police were developed, and training was organized for their practical implementation. Additional targeted trainings will provide further support for strengthening the capacities of the Border Police in Montenegro in combating illicit trafficking of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
In addition to the Border Police Sector, EU and UNDP SEESAC have been providing support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Montenegro for many years in all important segments of the control of small and light weapons, ammunition and explosives, in accordance with the implementation of the goals of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to combat the illegal possession, abuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and related ammunition in the Western Balkans.