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| 11.12.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/1 |
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11.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/1

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Sixth annual report on the implementation of the Council Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP of 12 July 2002 on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of SALW

(2007/C 299/01)

INTRODUCTION

On 12 July 2002, the Council adopted Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons. It calls for an annual review of the actions taken within its framework. Five annual reports have been prepared since then.

The EU is a major player and contributor in the fight against the illicit spread and accumulation of SALW and their ammunition. Further to the 2003 European Security Strategy, the European Council adopted on 15-16 December 2005 an EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition. This document underlines the need for consistent EU policies in the areas of security and development, while exploiting fully the means available to the EU at multilateral and regional levels, inside the European Union and through its external relations. It serves as political guidance for EU activities in this field through the various instruments available and for its Member States.

The EU SALW Strategy continues to take into account Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP which has been used as a basis for specific actions in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Balkans and most recently in Ukraine. Since 1999 around EUR 14,5 million of CFSP funds have been committed through decisions implementing this Joint Action.

Other relevant policies include the European Union Programme for the prevention of armed conflict calling for development assistance aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, the European Union Programme for preventing and combating illicit trafficking in conventional arms and the European Union Guidelines for children in armed conflicts.

The EU remains at the forefront of the common fight and practical work to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects and it is engaged in the implementation of the UN Programme of Action (PoA) at EU level. EU funding (through Member States, the EDF, Community funding and CFSP budget resources) remains one of the main sources of financial assistance to implement the UN PoA.

During the Review Conference of the UN PoA, the European Union presented on 30 June 2006 a comprehensive overview of its activities to support the fight against illicit small arms and light weapons. Representatives from the EU Presidency (Austria), the Council Secretariat/Office of the HR's Personal Representative and the European Commission presented the overall SALW policy based on the new EU Strategy on SALW and ammunition and explained how this is being translated into concrete activities through various instruments.

This report covers the Council Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP as well as the EU Programme for preventing and combating illicit trafficking in conventional arms adopted by the Council on 26 June 1997. It focuses on activities carried out during 2006. It has been prepared by the Council Secretariat and includes national contributions by Member States.

This report is structured in three parts and an annex:

| — | Part I covers Member States' efforts to address the problems relating to small arms and light weapons; |
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Part I covers Member States' efforts to address the problems relating to small arms and light weapons;

| — | Part II deals with international implementation efforts; |
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Part II deals with international implementation efforts;

| — | Part III covers participation in the work of international and regional organisations; |
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Part III covers participation in the work of international and regional organisations;

| — | The annex lists focal points for SALW at national level and within the EU institutions. |
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The annex lists focal points for SALW at national level and within the EU institutions.

I.   NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS

AUSTRIA

Arms export controls have been greatly improved by the new Foreign Trade Act 2005 and the subsequent Regulation of 2006. After entry into force of the new Austrian Foreign Trade Act (FTA, ‘Außenhandelsgesetz’) in October 2005 the Foreign Trade Regulation (FTAR, Federal Law Gazette II, No 121/2006) implementing the FTA entered into force in early 2006. This implementing legislation harmonises the granting of licences with the relevant provisions of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and makes it obligatory for Austrian traders. Furthermore, it defines brokers and brokering activities in line with Council Common Position 2003/468/CFSP on the control of arms brokering.

The Austrian War Material Regulation and the Ministry of Economics and Labour’s list of military equipment other than war material correspond to the EU Common Military List. The Austrian list is constantly being updated in order to adapt it to the wording on the EU Common Military List. Under the new FTA, the items of the EU Common Military List are subject to a licence requirement for export, transit and brokering. Intra Community trade in goods on the EU Common Military List is — with certain exceptions — subject to a monitoring procedure. Technical assistance in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance or other servicing, stockpiling, testing or proliferation of conventional weapons systems with military capability is not granted if such assistance contradicts restrictive measures on the basis of EU Common Positions or EU Common Actions, OSCE Resolutions or binding resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, a regulation passed by the Minister for Defence enumerates war material and other weapons which are taken into consideration for destruction. The list is compiled on the basis of definitions of the EU and the OSCE.

Procedure

Procedure

In the run-up to Austria’s EU Presidency cooperation and coordination between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Economics Affairs and Labour and the Ministry of Defence have been further strengthened. Meetings involving these ministries are held on a regular basis.

BELGIUM

In line with its international commitments, Belgium adopted on 8 June 2006 a new law on arms, (published in the Belgian Official Journal (Moniteur Belge) on 9 June 2006) in order to better control, in particular, civilian possession of SALW.

BULGARIA

No new legislation was adopted. The mechanisms of national co-operation, inter-ministerial and inter-governmental co-ordination and the ways and means of information exchange between the respective administrative and law enforcement agencies are stipulated and defined by detail in the respective provisions of the existing ‘Law on Control of Foreign Trade Activity in Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies’. Information on legislative measures as provided in the 2002, 2003 and 2005 national reports on the UN SALW Programme of Action still applies.

With an amendment of 9 May 2006 to the Law on Control over Explosives, Firearms and Munitions, the European Firearms Pass (EFP) was introduced. The EFP is an official document issued to a person holding a permit to carry and use a firearm when s/he passes from the territory of one EU Member State to that of another. The EFP contains a number; expiry date; personal data of the person; and the type, brand, model, category, calibre and serial number of the firearm, as well as information on the type of firearm the pass is issued for and on bans or permits in the EU Member States concerned.

Although no changes have been introduced in the export control system for the reporting period, a process of reviewing the existing export control legislation was launched in 2006 with a view to Bulgaria’s accession to the EU on 1 January 2007. The main objective of this review process was to grant coherence and compliance with the EU provisions in the area of export control, as well as to further improve its practical implementation. As a result, the existing Law on Export Control in Arms and Dual-Use Items was amended by the Bulgarian National Assembly (and entered into force at the beginning of 2007). The ‘new’ Export Control Law keeps all the established export control measures regulating trade in arms and, in addition, enhances control measures for re-export, transit and brokering activities (strictly following the EU Common position EC/468/2003). In accordance with EU Common Position, for any brokering activity a registration of the broker is required as well as an individual licence for each brokering transaction.

The structure of the Bulgarian export control system remains as reported previously, with a strengthened interdepartmental information exchange. Bulgaria adheres to the responsible policy in the area of SALW control and implements the recommended measures established by the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW to avoid illicit trafficking and inappropriate re-export, with respect for human rights in the country of final destination and for international peace and regional stability. The measures are directed also to preventing the use of arms for internal repressions, as well as for the purposes of terrorism or organised crime.

In 2006 the National Customs Agency organised several courses and trained 50 customs officers in the field of combating illicit arms trafficking with a special focus on SALW.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence has submitted the following information relating to the national activities on SALW in 2006:

| — | No changes in the systems of control, accountability and safety of arms caches in the Bulgarian Army compared with those previously reported; |
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No changes in the systems of control, accountability and safety of arms caches in the Bulgarian Army compared with those previously reported;

| — | No changes in numbers of SALW and ammunition, reported as Army surplus; |
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No changes in numbers of SALW and ammunition, reported as Army surplus;

| — | No destruction of SALW and ammunitions took place in 2006. |
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No destruction of SALW and ammunitions took place in 2006.

CYPRUS

The export, transit and retransfer of SALW are regulated by Law 354/2002, ‘The Defence Export Regulations of 2002’, as amended by Law 602/2004. The aforementioned Laws are aligned with the European Code of Conduct on arms exports and with Common Position 2000/C 191/01. The export, including re-export, of SALW is controlled under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and the transit and retransfer of SALW comes under the authority of the Customs and Excise Authority according to the provisions of the Customs legislation.

The import, acquisition, possession and transport of SALW are regulated by Law 113(1)/2004 ‘On Firearms and non-Firearms’. The Law is aligned with European Union Directive 91/477 EC as amended and with Common Position 2000/C 191/01.

The manufacture of certain SALW is regulated by Law 113(I)/2004 (Part III, Article 7(I). Based on that Law, manufacture by citizens or residents of the Republic, is prohibited, unless they hold a valid licence for this purpose, which is issued by the Chief of Police. This specific licence is provided for citizens, under conditions provided in the law. The conditions include, among other things, the absence of any criminal record on the part of the applicant, an investigation as to whether holding the licence would endanger the applicant, the government or public order and, finally, the condition passing of a governmental medical examination. The illegal manufacture, possession, stockpiling and trade of SALW is governed by Law 113(I)2004. The Law provides for sentences of up to 15 years' imprisonment and/or a fine of 25 000 Cyprus pounds for violation of its provisions.

Within the Cyprus Police Headquarters, a special branch for keeping records (national arms archive) has been established and an electronic database facilitates the sharing of information on SALW with other competent authorities in the EU, regional organisations and other countries.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The categories of weapons listed in the Annex to the Council Joint Action of 12 July 2002 on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons and repealing Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP (2002/589/CFSP) are in service primarily with the Czech Republic's Army and, to a lesser degree, with other security forces (Czech Republic Police, Prison and Court Guards Service, Customs Service, Security Information Service). Information on the numbers of weapons held by these forces is not disclosed to the public; the handling of such weapons (use, record-keeping, storage) falls outside the scope of the Arms Act (Act No 119/2002). Once the weapons are removed from service with these forces, they become subject to the Arms Act.

Possession of these categories of weapons for civilian use is subject to exemptions granted by the Czech Republic Police (Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives Inspectorates at District Police Headquarters) pursuant to Section 9 of the Arms Act.

By 31 December 2006, arms permit holders in the Czech Republic received 627 permits to possess or carry this type of weapons. 110 new exemptions were granted to arms permit holders in 2006. Arms licence holders were allowed to possess or carry 791 weapons of this type (chiefly for use in film or theatre, or by private security agencies). No new exemptions were granted to arms licence holders in 2006. The Police are authorised to check the measures taken by owners to prevent loss or theft and to ensure safe handling of their weapons. The Police have adequate powers for this purpose, including the right to carry out inspections at the weapon owner's home.

Trade in these weapons is subject to different legislation, in particular the Foreign Trade in Military Material Act (Act No 38/1994). The trader must first obtain a permit from the Licensing Authority at the Ministry of Industry, and then seek a separate licence for each transaction. Each licence application is considered also by the Ministry of the Interior, in the light of public order and internal security considerations, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the light of foreign policy interests. In 2006 the Czech Republic permitted non-commercial exports of 238 weapons of this type, all of them to EU countries. In all cases the weapons were exported to EU countries with their prior consent. No prohibited weapon was exported on this basis to a non-EU country in 2006.

An amendment to the Act regulating foreign trade in military material (Act No 38/1994 as amended) is currently being drafted, with the aim of significantly strengthening the Czech customs authorities' power control.

DENMARK

The Danish Ministry of Justice administers the Danish weapons and explosives legislation, which also includes the regulation of small arms and light weapons.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Danish weapons and explosives legislation, weapons and ammunition may not be imported, manufactured, acquired, possessed or carried without a licence from the Minister of Justice or from the person authorised by the Minister to issue such licences.

The legislation also stipulates that weapons or explosives of any kind, including ammunition, may not be exported without a specific licence from the Minister for Justice. This provision also includes small arms and light weapons.

The Minister for Justice has authorised the local police districts to issue certain of the abovementioned licences concerning small arms and light weapons (possession of firearms etc.).

Databases and registers

Databases and registers

The Danish police has established a central electronic database (The Police Weapons Register) in which all persons authorised to possess firearms are registered on the basis of applications received for firearms licences and registrations of purchases of smoothbore shotguns, etc. The register also contains information on lost and stolen weapons.

The Police Weapons Register includes all relevant information including category and type of weapon, manufacture, model, marking (number), calibre and special characteristics. Each weapon is registered under a specific identification number. The police may order that the weapon be marked with the identification number if the weapon is not marked by the manufacturer. The register also includes historical information which makes it possible to locate information on previous owners of a weapon.

Information on lost firearms etc. is also reported to the Schengen Information System (SIS).

All Danish rifle associations are furthermore required to establish their own weapons registers which must include information on all firearms owned by the association and its members.

Recent legislative initiatives

Recent legislative initiatives

There have been no legislative SALW -initiatives in 2006.

On 1 October 2004 a new act containing rules on transportation of weapons between third countries (i.e. countries than Denmark) entered into force. The rules ban transportation of weapons etc. to countries covered by a UN, EU or OSCE arms embargo. Furthermore, transportation between third countries that have not issued the necessary export and import licenses is banned.

Furthermore, on 14 June 2005 the Danish Parliament adopted an act introducing, among other things, regulation on arms brokering. According to this act, without a licence from the Minister for Justice, or from the person authorised by the Minister, a broker is prohibited from negotiating or arranging transactions that involve the transfer of weapons etc., as defined in the Danish weapons and explosives legislation, between countries outside the EU. Furthermore, it is prohibited to buy or sell such weapons etc. as part of a transfer between countries outside the EU, or for the owner of the weapons etc., to arrange such a transfer. The ban does not apply to activities carried out in another EU Member State or outside the EU by Danish individuals residing abroad. The act implements European Council Common Position 2003/468/CFSP of 23 June 2003 on the control of arms brokering.

Recent enforcement initiatives

Recent enforcement initiatives

To improve national measures for criminal investigation, the Danish police have taken the initiative in 2006 in a national SALW -project ‘Project Firearms’ regarding the tracing, updating and registering of arms.

ESTONIA

No new legislation on small arms and light weapons entered into force in 2006.

The process of amending and adapting the Weapons Act (which entered into force on 31.3.2002) was initiated in 2005 and was concluded in early 2007. This Act establishes the legal bases and procedure for the handling of weapons and ammunition, the grant of permission for weapons and ammunition to be used for civilian purposes, the use of weapons and ammunition for civilian purposes and the removal of weapons and ammunition from civilian use, the requirements for firing ranges and field firing ranges, and the bases and procedure for the exercise of state supervision in such areas.

In June 2006 Estonian Defence Forces destroyed 6 000 old pistols.

There is a Strategic Goods Commission established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a licensing body which is composed of the representatives of MFA, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Security Police Board, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and Estonian Law Enforcement Board. The Strategic Goods Commission has always considered the promotion of training relating to the topic of strategic goods to be very important. In the autumn term of 2006, enhanced lectures on the international export control system and strategic goods control in Estonia were held for the students of taxation and customs of the Financial College of the Public Service Academy.

FINLAND

Co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies

Co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies

In May 2006, a meeting of the National Coordination Group of SALW Experts took place. The National Coordination Group of SALW Experts includes the representatives of the ministries involved with arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of SALW and the representatives of national non-governmental organisations dealing with the issue. The group discusses inter alia Finnish policy concerning SALW, implementation of the national, regional and global provisions and regulations and bilateral assistance to SALW projects. The group meets regularly under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and it has representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The representatives from other authorities (customs, border control, etc.) are invited to participate whenever necessary. Non-governmental organisations are invited regularly.

Newly enacted legislation, reviews of the practical functioning of existing legislation

Newly enacted legislation, reviews of the practical functioning of existing legislation

The Firearms Amnesty legislation was approved by the Parliament at the end of 2003 and it came into force on 1 January 2004. The purpose of the legislation is to decrease the number of illegal and unregistered weapons in Finland. Since the legislation entered into force, it has been possible to surrender illegal small arms, ammunition and explosives to the police without any legal consequences if they have not been used in a criminal act. The total number of firearms surrendered was approximately 4 000 during the year 2006.

The owner of an illegal firearm can also apply for a licence to keep the gun or to transfer it to another licence holder via the police. Those arms that the owner does not wish to keep or transfer to another licence holder are deactivated or rendered to the state. Some of them are sold by the police in official public auctions to collectors and other licensed arms holders.

FRANCE

Brokering

Brokering

A law has been drafted establishing a prior authorisation system for transactions by brokers and is to be examined by the parliament shortly. This control system will apply to persons resident or established in France and will include legal penalties. Purchasing and resale transactions carried out abroad by persons resident or established, which escape the export control procedures, will be subject to the same conditions.

A draft implementing decree for these provisions has also been drawn up. The establishment of a prior control regime for transactions by dealers will thus be added to the controls on natural or legal persons acting as dealers.

Embargos

Embargos

A proposal for a law has been drafted to amend the penal code and is to be examined by the parliament shortly. It defines an embargo and provides for penal sanctions if there is a violation of an embargo or restrictive measures.

Other initiatives

Other initiatives

For several years, France has shown increased transparency in an annual report to parliament on arms exports, which is distributed not only in France but also abroad (embassies and international organisations). The report presents national control practices, and international exercises in the export control field in which France participates. It also contains many statistics, including those on exports of small arms and light weapons.

GERMANY

Regular meetings of the national coordination group for SALW issues were organised by the national focal point. These meetings bring together arms and export control experts from ministries, administration, non-governmental organisations and industry in order to address questions relating to small arms and light weapons including their ammunition. The group discusses inter alia German policy with regard to SALW in international and regional fora, multilateral and bilateral assistance as well as the implementation of national, regional and global provisions and regulations. The meetings are chaired by a representative of the Federal Foreign Office.

Various initiatives were taken with regard to cooperation between administrative bodies and law enforcement agencies at national level. These covered newly enacted legislation, but also reviews of the practical functioning of existing legislation. Training measures were a regular part of such efforts. In 2006, these initiatives included the following:

In order to implement the EU Common Position on brokering (2003/468/CFSP), Germany has amended its export legislation. Each individual case of arms brokering relating to war weapons and other military equipment located outside Germany requires a license. In principle the German law on arms brokering is based on a territorial link, i.e. it is not applicable in cases without any link to German territory. However, when German citizens located in Germany engage into brokering abroad without any linkage to German territory, this constitutes, however, a license requirement.

In order to implement the UN instrument to enable States to identify and trace, in a timely and reliable manner, illicit small arms and light weapons, Germany has begun to introduce various measures with regard to national marking and tracing practices and respective standards.

For exports of military SALW outside NATO, EU and NATO-equivalent countries, Germany has continued to apply the so-called ‘new for old’ principle so as to ensure that the recipient whenever possible destroys weapons that are to be replaced by the new consignment, rather than reselling them. In general, exports of military SALW are not licensed to private end-users.

Germany signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism on 24 October 2006.

GREECE

For 2006 the target set in the framework of crime policy was to increase the confiscations of illegally possessed and traded SALW, through the drafting of specialised, -targeted action plans by competent Police Authorities.

A.   Efforts focused on two directions:

| 1. | control of legal trade in arms, throughout all its stages (import, trade, possession, use); |
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control of legal trade in arms, throughout all its stages (import, trade, possession, use);

| 2. | intensification of controls, in cooperation with other competent authorities, aiming at tracking down and confiscating illegally imported, traded, possessed and used Small Arms and Light Weapons. |
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2.

intensification of controls, in cooperation with other competent authorities, aiming at tracking down and confiscating illegally imported, traded, possessed and used Small Arms and Light Weapons.

a)   Measures for controlling the legal trade in SALW:

| — | The Ministry of Public Order runs an electronic database, which is the National Central Authority for information sharing and is able to directly receive and forward information on all legally traded and possessed weapons. This database is constantly updated to include any changes in possession status. |
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The Ministry of Public Order runs an electronic database, which is the National Central Authority for information sharing and is able to directly receive and forward information on all legally traded and possessed weapons. This database is constantly updated to include any changes in possession status.

| — | All missing weapons — whether they are lost, stolen, embezzled, tracked — are entered into this database in order to be confiscated or used as evidence in criminal proceedings, they have been identified in the event that they are tracked down. This database gives the history of each arm/weapon, from its import up to its end legal holder (arms records). |
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All missing weapons — whether they are lost, stolen, embezzled, tracked — are entered into this database in order to be confiscated or used as evidence in criminal proceedings, they have been identified in the event that they are tracked down. This database gives the history of each arm/weapon, from its import up to its end legal holder (arms records).

Furthermore, this database facilitates SALW information exchange with other authorities inside and outside Greece.

| — | A minimum number of controls has been established for each month in every enterprise that is legally activate in arms trading. Control data are cross- checked in the electronic database. |
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A minimum number of controls has been established for each month in every enterprise that is legally activate in arms trading. Control data are cross- checked in the electronic database.

| — | The provisions of the applicable Law 2168/1993 and the relevant Ministerial Decisions are strictly observed. These regulations constitute the major regulatory framework in Greece governing the issues of arms and weapons. This Law has been harmonized with Directive 91/477/EEC and the Schengen Convention. In some cases, this regulatory framework includes even stricter provisions (Article 15 of Law 2168/1993 and Article 272 of the Criminal Code, as amended by Law 2928/2001). |
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The provisions of the applicable Law 2168/1993 and the relevant Ministerial Decisions are strictly observed. These regulations constitute the major regulatory framework in Greece governing the issues of arms and weapons. This Law has been harmonized with Directive 91/477/EEC and the Schengen Convention. In some cases, this regulatory framework includes even stricter provisions (Article 15 of Law 2168/1993 and Article 272 of the Criminal Code, as amended by Law 2928/2001).

| — | Legal trade in small arms and weapons in Greece (import — export — trade and transit) requires a special license issued by the competent authority, according to the provisions of Law 2168/1993. |
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Legal trade in small arms and weapons in Greece (import — export — trade and transit) requires a special license issued by the competent authority, according to the provisions of Law 2168/1993.

| — | There is excellent cooperation with other prosecution authorities in Greece (port and customs authorities, Body for the Prosecution of Economic Crimes) as well as with the Military Authorities, so as to share information with the competent authorities of the countries from which arms and weapons are imported in or transported to Greece. |
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There is excellent cooperation with other prosecution authorities in Greece (port and customs authorities, Body for the Prosecution of Economic Crimes) as well as with the Military Authorities, so as to share information with the competent authorities of the countries from which arms and weapons are imported in or transported to Greece.

b)   Measures for controlling the illegal trade in SALW:

Since bilateral cooperation at regional and international level is deemed to be indispensable for the prevention and suppression of illegal trade in arms and weapons from one country to another, Greece has signed police cooperation agreements with its neighbouring countries and participate in international, regional and bilateral organizations (Adriatic — Ionian Initiative, SECI EUROPOL — INTERPOL).

| — | Vehicles and persons entering Greece are checked at the established points of entry. |
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Vehicles and persons entering Greece are checked at the established points of entry.

| — | Constant controls are carried out at the land and sea borders (in cooperation with port authorities) to prevent illegal imports of weapons by persons who enter Greece illegally. |
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Constant controls are carried out at the land and sea borders (in cooperation with port authorities) to prevent illegal imports of weapons by persons who enter Greece illegally.

| — | Disclosed cases are thoroughly investigated, in order to detect and dismantle networks that may be active in the illegal trade in weapons and arms. |
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Disclosed cases are thoroughly investigated, in order to detect and dismantle networks that may be active in the illegal trade in weapons and arms.

| — | Special measures are taken in areas with intense problems of trading, possession and use of arms, in cooperation with local communities and bodies. |
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Special measures are taken in areas with intense problems of trading, possession and use of arms, in cooperation with local communities and bodies.

At this stage, a procedure is under way concerning the amendment of some provisions of the basic national legislation on arms with a view to the introduction of certain new regulations, such as on the recording of persons who act as mediators in arms transactions (brokers — brokerage) and the definition of specific activities which should be subject to control and licensing.

As regards marking:

| — | In Greece there are no companies that produce weapons/arms for commercial use. There is only one State Company which produces arms for the Ministry of Defence. |
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In Greece there are no companies that produce weapons/arms for commercial use. There is only one State Company which produces arms for the Ministry of Defence.

| — | As regards the method of marking the producer country, Greece supports the NATO STANAG 1 059 marking system. |
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As regards the method of marking the producer country, Greece supports the NATO STANAG 1 059 marking system.

Total number of confiscated arms/weapons by the Greek Police in 2006: 1 179 (88 automatic rifles/rifles, 303 pistols, 114 handguns, 674 hunting guns). Such arms/weapons constitute evidence in legal proceedings and it is up to the competent courts to decide upon their fate, according to Article 16 of Law 2168/1993.

HUNGARY

The Hungarian licensing system has three tiers with fairly strict procedures. This system includes the following procedural steps:

| 1. | Activity Licence (i.e registration of traders). |
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Activity Licence (i.e registration of traders).

| 2. | Those registered traders planning to engage in business talks with foreign partners have to obtain a Licence for Negotiation in advance that allows them to proceed with negotiations and to conclude a contract. |
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2.

Those registered traders planning to engage in business talks with foreign partners have to obtain a Licence for Negotiation in advance that allows them to proceed with negotiations and to conclude a contract.

| 3. | Then, to perform a contract, the applicant has to obtain a Contract Licence (authorisation of export/import). |
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3.

Then, to perform a contract, the applicant has to obtain a Contract Licence (authorisation of export/import).

The Hungarian Trade Licensing Office is mandated to issue all licences relating to trade in military equipment including ammunition and services. Licence applications are considered and granted on a case-by-case basis. ‘Open’ or ‘general licences’ do not exist in the Hungarian export control system for conventional arms. Licences are issued following the approval of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Foreign Trade in Military Equipment (hereinafter ‘the ICTME’). This body is responsible for policy guidance. Representatives of all ministries and national authorities concerned, including members of the intelligence services, sit on the ICTME.

Government Decree 16/2004 (II.6.) incorporates regulations for transit shipments, applying the same procedural rules as in the case of exports. It means that all transit applications have to be submitted in advance and are assessed with equal scrutiny, case- by- case and against the same criteria as export applications. Only companies established in Hungary are entitled to apply for transit licences. The transit licences in the case of lethal military equipment, live ammunition, explosives and other dangerous goods require the responsible shipper to have an armed security escort along the transit route: from the point of entry up to the point of exit.

The illegal manufacture, possession, trade, stockpiling or transfer of SALW constitutes a criminal offence. Groups, companies and individuals engaged in such activities are identified and prosecuted.

In order to control arms brokering and to avoid circumvention of UN, EU or OSCE embargoes on arms exports, as well as of the criteria set out in the European Union’s Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, Government Decree 16/2004 (II.6.) takes into account the recommendations and Best Practice Guidelines of the relevant international organisations and Common Position 2003/468/CFSP on the control of brokering adopted by the Council of the European Union on 23 June 2003.

Article 2(2)(c) of the Government Decree states that ‘in order to act as a representative, agent, broker or intermediary in respect of military equipment or technical assistance, whether within or outside the territory of the Republic of Hungary, the licences required are: activity licence, negotiating licence and contract licence’.

This means that Hungary controls brokering activities carried out both inside and outside its territory, by brokers who are Hungarian residents or established in the territory of the Republic of Hungary.

As in the case of exports, in the case of brokering all applications are assessed, inter alia, against the provisions of the European Union’s Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. The Hungarian Trade Licensing Office keeps records for a minimum of 10 years of all persons and entities which have obtained a licence for brokering activities. A register of arms brokers is also established, but the registration or authorisation to act as broker under no circumstances replaces the requirement to obtain the necessary licence or written authorisation for each transaction. When assessing applications to act as brokers, the Hungarian Trade Licensing Office takes into account the records of past involvements in illicit activities by the applicant.

IRELAND

In 2006 the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment drafted new legislation on export controls, which was published in January 2007. The new legislation once enacted will modernise and strengthen Ireland’s strategic controls system as well as ensuring full compliance with Ireland’s international export control obligations.

There is no specific national legislation on the transit of small arms and light weapons. Under current Irish legislation, however, the import, transit, re-transfer and export of small arms and light weapons to and from EU countries must be licensed in accordance with the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 2006 and the EC (Acquisition and Possession of) Weapons and Ammunition Regulations, 1993. Exports of firearms to all countries are also subject to the Control of Exports Act, 1983 and Orders made under that Act. At present, the relevant Order is the Control of Exports Order, 2005, which includes pistols and ‘component parts thereof’ in relation to general military equipment.

In order to export a firearm, there are varying legal requirements depending on the destination. Should the applicant not be in possession of a valid firearms certificate for the firearm to be exported he must obtain an Authorisation for Export from An Garda Síochána (the national police force). In addition, for exports to Member States of the European Union, an export licence is required from the Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In the case of exports to countries outside the EU, an export licence is required from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

With regard to the importation of small arms and light weapons, an import licence granted by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is required for an applicant not in possession of a valid firearm certificate for the firearm in question. Where a valid firearm certificate exists for the firearm proposed to be imported, a prior consent (Article 11) document is required to bring the firearm into the State, in accordance with EC Directive 91/477/EEC.

No small arms or light weapons are currently manufactured in Ireland. It is an offence to manufacture firearms without being registered to manufacture by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Firearms present in Ireland would be marked in the case of manufacture outside the State. Some older firearms may not be marked, in which case An Garda Síochána (the national police force) is responsible for marking them. Firearms dealers are required to keep records of each transfer of a firearm for a minimum of 5 years. Collection and disposal of small arms and light weapons fall under the remit of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Defence Forces. Stockpile management and security are under the remit of the Department of Justice and the Department of Defence.

A wide range of amendments to the Firearms Acts, 1925-2000 were enacted by the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Certain provisions of the Act relating to firearms have yet to be commenced by the Minister, including those which provide for 3-year licences for legally held firearms, minimum standards for the keeping of firearms by individuals and firearms dealers, and minimum standards for firearms ranges. In addition, the Minister may by Statutory Instrument declare specified firearms and ammunition to be restricted. Applications for a restricted firearm may be made to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána subject to compliance with certain conditions

ITALY

Co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies

Co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies

In 2006, the ad hoc working group on small arms and light weapons — established in Italy since June 2000 under the co-ordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and which includes representatives of relevant ministries, law enforcement administrations and interested national industrial associations — met once.

Discussions were mainly focused on the preparation of the 2006 Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action (PoA) against the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, on the implementation of the multilateral instrument on marking and tracing as well as on the implementation of the EU Common Position regulating brokering activities. Due consideration was also given to the debate in other relevant multilateral fora (UNGA First Committee, OSCE, Wassenaar Agreement, G8).

Newly enacted legislation

Newly enacted legislation

Italy ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Crime and its Protocols (including the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition) on 16 March 2006 with Law No 146/2006. Italian law on firearms has been amended accordingly, in particular with regard to the storage of information relating to firearms for no less than ten years and marking to indicate the country of manufacture.

Other initiatives

Other initiatives

In 2006, Italian armed forces destroyed the following small arms and light weapons, identified as surplus:

| — | 770 Beretta pistols, mod. ‘34’; |
| --- | --- |

—

770 Beretta pistols, mod. ‘34’;

| — | 93 697 Garand M1 rifles; |
| --- | --- |

—

93 697 Garand M1 rifles;

| — | 37 390 FAL BM59 assault rifles; |
| --- | --- |

—

37 390 FAL BM59 assault rifles;

| — | 8 231 miscellaneous. |
| --- | --- |

—

8 231 miscellaneous.

Total: 140 088 small arms and light weapons destroyed.

LATVIA

No new legislation on small arms and light weapons was introduced in 2006.

Some amendments to the existing legislation regarding more efficient export controls are to be introduced in the near future. For example, a new draft Law on Circulation of Strategic Goods will define more precisely the control institutions, their responsibilities and co-operation, as well as the terms used in the law, including brokering. New regulations defining national lists of controlled goods as well as the order of issuing different types of licences are to be passed as well.

The Law on Arms Circulation came into force on January 2003. It regulates arms matters in the Republic of Latvia in accordance with international requirements and harmonises national legislation in this respect, determining the rights and obligations of physical and legal persons with regard to the circulation of arms and weapons, their parts, ammunition, explosives, explosives equipment, special devices and pyrotechnic products in the Republic of Latvia and determining classification of these items for the purpose of guaranteeing individual and public safety. The Law has not been amended since 2003. Some additional legislative acts regulating the circulation of arms in Latvia were passed in 2003 and 2004.

The Law on Arms Circulation provides that all transactions involving small arms and light weapons require an export, import or transit licence for strategic goods. The Strategic Goods Control Committee issues these licences. An end-use certificate is one of the preconditions for export and transit through the territory of the Republic of Latvia. The requirements and conditions of the certificate are drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and shall be required as provided in the Law on Circulation of Strategic Goods.

The Law on Circulation of Strategic Goods (May 2004) is designed to ensure control over the circulation of strategic goods in accordance with national and international requirements for monitoring their export, import and transit.

In total the police confiscated 569 firearms in 2006. With regard to different offences, the police seized illegally acquired and stored firearms — 16 pistols/revolvers, 16 carbines, 14 shot-guns, 2 small-calibre rifles, 1 pneumatic pistol, 2 self-made pistols.

LITHUANIA

On 6 April 2006 the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania amended the Law on the Control of Strategic Goods, which was adopted on 29 April 2004. The amendment inter alia modified the list of restrictions on issuance of licences and modified the definition of brokering (modification is highlighted). As of 1 July 2006, when the amended law entered into force, the brokering denotes negotiations conducted or arrangement or performance of transactions by natural and legal persons resident or registered in the Republic of Lithuania and by subsidiaries of foreign legal persons and other organisations during which the goods included in the Common List of Military Equipment can be transferred outside the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, the territory of another Member State of the European Union or a non-Member State to any other non-Member State.

inter alia

The Temporary Law on Voluntary Return of Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives and Legitimation of Weapons and Ammunition entered into force on 1 October 2006 and is valid until 31 March 2007. The Law grants amnesty from legal liability for persons who decide to give up illegally owned arms, ammunition and explosives. It establishes a legal framework to withdraw illicit firearms, ammunition and explosives from civil circulation.

The list of countries under UN or EU arms embargoes was constantly renewed. The current list is provided in the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No 237 on the Approval of the List of the States to which the Export or Transit of the Goods Listed in the Common Military List is Prohibited and for which Brokering in Negotiations and Transactions in the Goods Listed in the Common Military List is Prohibited.

The Law on the Control of Arms and Ammunition is in the process of revision at the present time. Among other amendments, full compliance with the Firearms Protocol will be attained.

LUXEMBOURG

No new legislation was introduced in 2006.

The relevant legal basis is to be found in the Law of 15 March 1983 on arms and ammunition and in the Grand Ducal Regulation of 31 October 1995 on the import, export and transit of arms, ammunition and equipment intended specifically for military use and of related technology. These are published in the Mémorial, Luxembourg's official gazette. The existing legislation is currently under review.

Mémorial

Prohibited arms

Prohibited arms

Article 4 of the Law of 15 March 1983 on arms and ammunition prohibits the import, manufacture, conversion, repair, acquisition, purchase, holding, storage, transport, carrying, transfer, sale or export of, or trade in, certain types of arms and ammunition. Notwithstanding that provision, however, the Minister for Justice may in particular authorise:

| a) | the import, acquisition, purchase, transport, holding, sale, transfer or export of, or trade in, arms and ammunition constituting antiques, works of art or decorative items or intended to form part of a collection or display; authorisation may be subject to the condition that the arm has been permanently disabled; |
| --- | --- |

a)

the import, acquisition, purchase, transport, holding, sale, transfer or export of, or trade in, arms and ammunition constituting antiques, works of art or decorative items or intended to form part of a collection or display; authorisation may be subject to the condition that the arm has been permanently disabled;

| b) | the import, acquisition, purchase, transport, holding, sale, transfer or export of arms and ammunition for scientific or educational purposes; |
| --- | --- |

b)

the import, acquisition, purchase, transport, holding, sale, transfer or export of arms and ammunition for scientific or educational purposes;

| c) | the import, export or transit of arms from abroad which are heading for another country. |
| --- | --- |

c)

the import, export or transit of arms from abroad which are heading for another country.

Such authorisation may be subject to the condition that the arms in question cannot be used for any purpose other than those stated above.

Luxembourg does not have any national marking system for use in the manufacture and/or import of small arms. There is no arms factory in the country. Gunsmiths and dealers in arms and ammunition have to keep a register showing incoming and outgoing arms, with the make, calibre and serial number of each arm and the names and addresses of its supplier and purchaser. The register must also show the number and date of issue of the ministerial authorisation. It must be produced at the request of any representative of the public authorities. Gunsmiths and arms dealers may be required to supply the Minister for Justice with a copy of their register. The maximum quantities of arms and ammunition which gunsmiths and arms dealers are allowed to hold in stock are set by the Minister for Justice.

In the event of riots, suspicious gatherings or public order disturbances, the Minister for Justice may order the closure or evacuation of any arms and ammunition shops or stores and the transfer of their contents to a specified location.

Breaches of the Law of 15 March 1983 are punishable by imprisonment for from eight days up to five years.

Export

Export

If an arm is purchased in Luxembourg for export, the gunsmith will apply to the Ministry of Justice for the seller to be issued with a licence to export the arm, i.e. transport it from the place of purchase to the border. Applications for export licences for arms, ammunition and equipment intended specifically for military use and for related technology have to be accompanied by an international import licence or end-use certificate. The Grand Ducal Regulation of 31 October 1995, as amended, makes provision for the form and content of those documents to be laid down by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Cooperation.

Under Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (Article 11), Luxembourg notifies the other Member States concerned of licences issued for export to their countries.

The licensing office may require applications for transit of arms, ammunition and equipment intended specifically for military use and of related technology to be accompanied by a document in which the competent authorities in the country from which the goods come certify that export to the stated country of destination is authorised.

Applications for export or transit licences have to be accompanied by an undertaking, signed by the applicant, to carry out the export or transit operation in accordance with the licence application. After each consignment of goods covered by an export licence, the exporter has to provide the licensing office, within three months, with proof that they have arrived in the authorised country of destination and that the importer has had them cleared for home use.

Such proof is provided either by a document issued by the importing country's customs authorities, showing that the exported goods have been declared for home use, or by any other document showing the goods to have been directly taken receipt of by the authority qualified to do so in the importing country or by any business acting for that authority.

Destruction of arms

Destruction of arms

The method used in Luxembourg (by its army, police and customs) is destruction of arms by severing. This is carried out by their respective armouries. The cut-up metal is all placed in a container and then transported by armoury staff to a steelworks, where it is melted down in electronic blast furnaces, in the presence of witnesses. A record of the operation is then drawn up.

MALTA

Malta has taken adequate action to issue two new legal notices L.N. 167/2006 and L.N. 168/2006. In the first legal notice the division sought legal coverage as regards the importation and exportation of equipment that might be related to capital punishment, torture, or some other inhuman and degrading treatment. In essence this legal notice prohibited technical assistance linked to the repair, development, manufacture, assembly, testing, maintenance and all other sorts of technical support linked to the provision of such equipment. Furthermore, nobody was allowed to import items listed in the first schedule attached to this legal notice, irrespective of the origin of these items.

Moreover, no person was allowed to receive technical assistance relating to these items irrespective of whether the request came from an individual or an organization.

The export of these items was also made subject to an export authorisation irrespective of the origin of these items. The export of items that could be used for torture is allowed only when they are to be exported to an EU Member State or to any of their affiliated territories, and if these items are to be used by members of the EU or of the UN in peace keeping operations in a particular destination. Still it was left to the discretion of customs to verify the authenticity of this declaration, rendering the breaking of these conditions punishable at law, with a fine totalling not more than 5 000 Maltese Liri or imprisonment for a period of not more than 5 years.

Legal notice 168/2006 adopted EU legislation 1330/2004 and essentially incorporated it into the national Maltese legislation. This regulation divides a list of military equipment into 22 subcategories, all of which are subject to an authorisation before the same items are eventually exported. The list starts with, inter alia, conventional equipment and ammunition (ML1-ML5), ground vehicles and equipment (ML6), chemical and toxic agents (ML7), energy materials, vessels of war, aircraft, electronic equipment, high-velocity energy equipment, armoured and protective equipment.

inter alia

In the case of these items and of dual-use equipment the division takes care to process the application on its own merits and in full conformity with national law and also international commitments.

NETHERLANDS

With respect to legislation on small arms and light weapons, in 2006 the Netherlands made no modifications.

POLAND

Legal measures

Legal measures

The Polish legal system pertaining to arms transfers contains no specific provisions relating to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). The legal provisions in force — the Law of 29 November 2000, on foreign trade in goods, technologies and services of strategic significance for state security, and the maintenance of international peace and security (unified text, Journal of Laws of 2004, No 229, item 2315) — established a unified control system of export, import, transit and related services concerning dual-use goods and technologies, arms and technical assistance (1). The Ministry of Economy is currently verifying it, with the aim of introducing changes that will simplify and tighten the export control system, and at the same time make it more favourable to exporters.

1

The provisions of the Law of 22 June 2001, on the implementation of business activity in the scope of production and trade of explosives, weapon, ammunition, products and technologies used by Armed Forces and Police (Journal of Laws of 2001, No 67, item 679 with subsequent amendments) were brought into line with Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. The Law of 23 June 2006 on changes of certain laws in connection with the membership of the Republic of Poland in the European Union (Journal of Laws No 133, item 935) amended the stipulations of Article 3 by adding a new Chapter 5 a, introducing the obligation for entrepreneurs transporting arms and ammunition on the territory of the EU to confirm transport permits and preliminary transport permits. These documents accompany every transport of SALW and ammunition to Poland from EU countries, from Poland to EU countries, and during transit across the Polish territory. The goal is to assure the authorities of the countries of origin and destination that the entrepreneur is authorised to perform activities connected with trade in the kinds of arms and ammunition specified in the documents.

On 13 June 2006 the Council of Ministers amended the annex to the Ordinance of 23 November 2004 on bans and restrictions on transfers of goods of strategic importance for the state security (Journal of Laws of 28 June 2006, No 109, item 750). The amended annex contains a list of States to which arms exports are prohibited due to relevant UN and EU sanctions. The main changes to the Ordinance include application of an arms embargo to Uzbekistan and cancellation of sanctions against Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Administrative measures

Administrative measures

Before obtaining a permit/concession for activities connected with the production of or trade in arms and ammunition, entrepreneurs are obliged to attend training and pass appropriate exams. The Ministry of Economy organised 31 workshops and courses devoted to arms export control and the internal control system for entrepreneurs trading in goods, technologies and services of strategic importance, including SALW. A total of 672 persons from 130 firms participated in training courses organised in 2006. The issues covered by the UN Programme of Action in SALW and relevant EU documents were also included.

Although Poland has not exported Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) to date, steps were undertaken to fully implement the recommendations of the Wassenaar Arrangement contained in the document ‘Elements for Export Controls of MANPADS’ and procedures were adopted in view of their possible export in the future. Potential licence applications for export of MANPADS will be processed in accordance with the abovementioned Law of 29 November 2000.

Adequate inventory management and accounting control procedures have been implemented at all levels of responsibility for stockpile facilities. A system of regular reporting and communication between these levels has also been organised. Each facility is obliged to maintain the required records on all stored SALW from the moment it takes control of them, through the various movements of the stock, until it is expended or decommissioned.

Enforcement

Enforcement

The Polish customs regulations remained unchanged during the reporting period. In 2006 the Customs Service further strengthened control of border crossings (road, maritime and airports) for illegal trafficking in goods, including SALW. A number of new X-ray scanners for cars and also trucks were installed. Special attention was devoted to Poland’s eastern borders. These steps allowed customs officers to expose and prevent illegal trafficking in 42 small arms (rifles and pistols) and 145 728 items of ammunition.

In 2006 the Border Guard Service disclosed attempts to smuggle 49 firearms, 1 755 items of firearms ammunition and 66 grenades; of this number — 34 firearms and 685 items of ammunition were confiscated beyond the border crossing area. The value of the smuggled weapons and ammunition amounted in total to PLN 8 860. The Border Guard Service initiated 19 preparatory procedures concerning smuggling attempts, 12 of them committed on the eastern border of the EU.

PORTUGAL

Co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies

Co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies

Efforts to foster co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies in combating the accumulation and spread of SALW, as well as preventing illicit trafficking have continued. The establishment in 2005 of a coordination group composed of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Portuguese Intelligence Services and the Ministry of Finance contributed to better articulate the work of all the entities involved.

Newly enacted legislation

Newly enacted legislation

The licensing of import and export of the categories of weapons listed in the Annex to the Council Joint Action is primarily the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.

For each transaction involving small arms and light weapons, a permit must be obtained from the Licensing Authority (at the Ministry of Defence or at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, depending on whether the weapons are for military or civil use).

Each application is also considered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the light of foreign policy interests, including observation of the criteria enshrined in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

In 2006, a new legal framework entered into force covering the production, repair, import, export, transfer, stockpile, circulation, trade, licensing, acquisition and possession of small arms and light weapons, their components and ammunition.

Law 5/2006 establishes a comprehensive regime, including criminal sanctions for illicit possession, trafficking and brokering for all the categories of weapons listed in the Annex to the Council Joint Action of 12 July 2002.

ROMANIA

No new legislation on small arms and light weapons was adopted in 2006.

Information on the legal framework and legislative measures as provided in national reports on the UN PoA on SALW still applies. Romania has had adequate legislation and an appropriate administrative system to exercise effective control over the trade of small arms and light weapons since 1993.

The national export control system for conventional arms consists of a legal framework, national control lists, a national export control authority and other public institutions, principles, procedures, the authorisation process, registration, licensing and control activities, export control documentation, as well as cooperation and international assistance.

The control of exports, imports and other operations with conventional arms is regulated by Government Ordinance No 158/1999 approved with amendments by Law No 595/2004. Significantly, Romanian legislation contains provisions regarding international arms brokering, incorporating the provisions stipulated in Common Position 2003/468/CFSP adopted by the Council of the European Union on 23 June 2003. In the case of brokering activities, all applications are assessed, inter alia, against the provisions of the EU Code of Conduct on arms exports.

inter alia

All re-export operations with conventional arms, including SALW, are subject to the provisions of the Government Ordinance No 158/1999 approved with amendments by Law No 595/2004.

The first step that must be taken is, according to Romanian legislation, to authorise companies to trade in conventional arms. Licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Licences are issued taking into account the advice given by the Inter-agency Council for the control of exports, imports and other trade operations with military goods, which comprises representatives of all ministries and national authorities concerned, including members of intelligence services.

Permits for international transit, transshipment and non-commercial activities with conventional weapons are granted on a case-by-case basis.

In Romania, several ministries are involved in implementing the national legislation and are represented in international activities in the field of small arms and light weapons, but the National Agency for Exports Control (ANCEX) remains the coordinating authority in the field of exports control legislation. In cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control Division (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), ANCEX participates in all relevant international activities.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administrative Reform — General Inspectorate of Romanian Police (GIRP) — controls the way in which natural or legal persons are granted authorisation to obtain, possess, hold, bear and use firearms and ammunition. At the same time, according to Law No 295/2004 regarding firearms and ammunition, which has been harmonised with Directive 91/477 EEC, the GIRP holds a record of all legal bearers of lethal and non-lethal weapons and updates the database of the National Register of Weapons (www.politiaromana.ro).

There have been no major SALW initiatives in 2006, but the Government of Romania has continued to carry out important outreach work with companies and individuals operating within the national defense industry in order to improve understanding of and compliance with arms control legislation. ANCEX provides this information for traders through its website (www.ancex.ro) and runs various seminars and workshops on this topic.

Furthermore, in accordance with the international instrument to enable States to identify and trace, in a timely and reliable manner, illicit small arms and light weapons, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 8 December 2005, ANCEX has established a register of transferred arms. This document comprises records of the exports and imports of SALW, with serial number, type, quantity, origin and other relevant information about the transfers.

SLOVAKIA

As regards the national implementation of the EU Joint Action on SALW and the EU Programme for Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Conventional Arms, the following acts have been adopted:

Act No 179/1998 Coll. of 15 May 1998 on Trade in Military Material and amending Trade Business Act No 455/1991 Coll. regulates inter alia the conditions for trade in military small arms and light weapons, the conditions for brokering activities, and the operation of state administration authorities in that connection. During 2006 Slovakia has fully implemented all relevant national legislative norms.

inter alia

The following national authorities are involved in the implementation process:

| 1. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs; |
| --- | --- |

1.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

| 2. | Ministry of the Economy; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Ministry of the Economy;

| 3. | Ministry of the Interior; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Ministry of the Interior;

| 4. | Ministry of Defence; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Ministry of Defence;

| 5. | Customs Authority; |
| --- | --- |

5.

Customs Authority;

| 6. | Intelligence Services. |
| --- | --- |

6.

Intelligence Services.

An entitled person is obliged to refrain from trading in military material to the extent that such trading would result in damaging the foreign policy, security or trade interests or the international commitments of the Slovak Republic, or in damaging the interests of international organisations and institutions to which the Slovak Republic is a party, member or participant.

The violation of the Trade in Military Material Act may lead to a fine of up to SKK 10 million and/or imprisonment for up to eight years.

In 2006 Slovakia permitted the export of 7 908 SALW and 4 644 SALW were imported.

SLOVENIA

In Slovenia, there are several ministries involved in the implementation of national legislation and international activities in the field of small arms and light weapons. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains the coordinating authority for the implementation and coordination of international activities in the field of small arms and light weapons. The Ministry of the Interior controls the exports and imports of small arms and light weapons, and the Ministry of Defence is responsible for control over the import and export of small arms and light weapons used for military purposes.

Annual Reports on arms exports and imports are published on the website of the Ministry of Defence. The Slovenian Police and the Customs Administration are responsible for the control of the state border and border crossings. They carry out direct control over cargo crossing the state border. In 2006, the Police dealt with 238 criminal offences of illicit production of and trade in arms or explosives (152 in 2005), and filed criminal complaints against 261 suspects (161 in 2005). In 2006, there were 22 cases of criminal offences perpetrated by organised criminal groups, while only 4 such cases were recorded in 2005. The Police detected 192 (127) criminal offences through its own activity. In 2006, the Police destroyed 637 confiscated firearms; 72 items out of the total quantity seized were donated to the National Museum of Contemporary History.

There are regular meetings and inter-ministerial coordination in the field of small arms and light weapons with each Ministry taking an active role according to its competences.

Slovenia adopted basic legislation in the field of small arms and light weapons in the 1990s. A comprehensive overview of the national legal framework concerning small arms and light weapons was submitted to the UN in 2005 in the national report on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action. Since then, and specifically in 2006, no new legislation was adopted. Nevertheless, the Ministry of the Interior formally submitted to the Ministry of Justice an initiative for the amendment of Article 310 of the Criminal Code — Illicit production of and trade in arms or explosives, to include exterritorial applicability of the Criminal Code in cases of alleged commission of criminal offence of this type. The rationale of such a proposed amendment to the Criminal Code is that such a criminal offence may be committed if the perpetrator unlawfully ‘brings’ weapons into the Republic of Slovenia and/or intervenes in the resale of weapons from abroad. The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code are expected to enter the governmental and parliamentary procedure in 2007.

SPAIN

The latest events related to new legislation and/or regulations are as follows:

| a) | On 12 January 2006, Order ITC/60/2006 was introduced to update and incorporate the agreed changes in the control lists into the related international munitions lists (i.e. the MTCR and the WA) in the Annex I to Royal Decree 1782/2004 of 30 July 2004, on the Regulation of Control of the Foreign Trade of Defence Materials, Other Material and Dual Use Goods and Technologies. |
| --- | --- |

a)

On 12 January 2006, Order ITC/60/2006 was introduced to update and incorporate the agreed changes in the control lists into the related international munitions lists (i.e. the MTCR and the WA) in the Annex I to Royal Decree 1782/2004 of 30 July 2004, on the Regulation of Control of the Foreign Trade of Defence Materials, Other Material and Dual Use Goods and Technologies.

| b) | In October 2005, the Spanish Parliament urged the Government to issue, in one year's time, a Law on Arms Trade. It was to upgrade provisions in the aforementioned Royal Decree 1782/2004 of 30 July 2004. The new Law should comply with and make an explicit reference to the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects and related UNGA Resolutions, as well as the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (adopted by the UNGA on 31 May 2001), better known as the ‘UN Firearms Protocol’.
  Following that request from the Parliament, the Spanish cabinet approved on 29 December 2006 a proposal for a new Law on Foreign Trade of Defence Materials and Dual Use Goods. This proposal is currently being examined and amended by the Parliament, and it is expected to enter into force by mid 2007.
  The most notable aspects of the proposal can be summarised as follows:






  — | In the first place, Spanish legislation on this matter consists of a norm equivalent to a Law, which will establish an instrument to exercise controls with greater efficacy. |
| --- | --- | --- |

b)

In October 2005, the Spanish Parliament urged the Government to issue, in one year's time, a Law on Arms Trade. It was to upgrade provisions in the aforementioned Royal Decree 1782/2004 of 30 July 2004. The new Law should comply with and make an explicit reference to the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects and related UNGA Resolutions, as well as the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (adopted by the UNGA on 31 May 2001), better known as the ‘UN Firearms Protocol’.

Following that request from the Parliament, the Spanish cabinet approved on 29 December 2006 a proposal for a new Law on Foreign Trade of Defence Materials and Dual Use Goods. This proposal is currently being examined and amended by the Parliament, and it is expected to enter into force by mid 2007.

The most notable aspects of the proposal can be summarised as follows:

—

In the first place, Spanish legislation on this matter consists of a norm equivalent to a Law, which will establish an instrument to exercise controls with greater efficacy.

| — | Secondly, the Law will up date the new regulations on Foreign Trade of Defence Materials and Dual Use Goods according to the commitments made by Spain in international fora and non-proliferation regimes. |
| --- | --- |

—

Secondly, the Law will up date the new regulations on Foreign Trade of Defence Materials and Dual Use Goods according to the commitments made by Spain in international fora and non-proliferation regimes.

| — | Thirdly, the new Law will broaden the scope of the controls to all kinds of firearms, including arms for hunting and sport shooting, their parts and components and ammunition, in compliance with Resolution 55/225 adopted by the UN General Assembly against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition. |
| --- | --- |

—

Thirdly, the new Law will broaden the scope of the controls to all kinds of firearms, including arms for hunting and sport shooting, their parts and components and ammunition, in compliance with Resolution 55/225 adopted by the UN General Assembly against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition.

| — | Fourthly, the Law will explicitly adhere to the eight criteria of the European Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, as well as the criteria adopted by the OSCE for the operations of small arms and light weapons. |
| --- | --- |

—

Fourthly, the Law will explicitly adhere to the eight criteria of the European Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, as well as the criteria adopted by the OSCE for the operations of small arms and light weapons.

| — | Finally, the legislative texts include an explicit commitment to promote and participate in the regional and international processes geared to greater control of the trade in weapons, especially the adoption of an International Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). In this regard, we must recall that Spain was one of the 117 sponsors of the project approved on 26 October. |
| --- | --- |

—

Finally, the legislative texts include an explicit commitment to promote and participate in the regional and international processes geared to greater control of the trade in weapons, especially the adoption of an International Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). In this regard, we must recall that Spain was one of the 117 sponsors of the project approved on 26 October.

| c) | Spain fulfilled during 2006 the internal ratification process for the adoption of the ‘UN Firearms Protocol’, and on 9 February 2007 deposited at the UNSG the instrument of accession on. The Protocol enters into force for Spain on 11 March 2007. |
| --- | --- |

c)

Spain fulfilled during 2006 the internal ratification process for the adoption of the ‘UN Firearms Protocol’, and on 9 February 2007 deposited at the UNSG the instrument of accession on. The Protocol enters into force for Spain on 11 March 2007.

Training of administration, law enforcement agencies, judicial organs

Training of administration, law enforcement agencies, judicial organs

Spanish law enforcement agencies continued to organise, as in previous years, courses and workshops on the criminal handling of firearms and explosives and on the application of information technology to the control of weapons and explosives. These are regular seminars organised in order to disseminate the rules and legal provisions for preventing and combating illicit trafficking of weapons and with the goal of recycling and updating police officers of the relevant agenciess on the subject.

Other initiatives or activities

Other initiatives or activities

In the legal framework of the ‘Convention regarding the establishment of uniform regulations for the reciprocal recognition of official proof marks on fire-arms’ of July 1969, and in accordance with the provisions laid down by its Executive Authority, the Permanent International commission for the proof of small-arms (CIP.), the Spanish national Official Proof-House ‘Banco Oficial de Pruebas de Armas de Eibar (BOPE)’, has marked all portable weapons for civil use produced in Spain during the year 2006. Marking of arms is one of the recommended actions to be taken for future tracing and prosecution of the illicit trafficking of SALW; the marking includes the following information: name of the producer, trial number of the weapon, year of production and BOPE’s marking signs and logos. In 2006 Spain produced 280 pistols, 22 942 rifles (this figures includes single rifle canons) and 28 138 shotguns, which were all marked by BOPE. Moreover, in 2006 BOPE destroyed 1 276 portable weapons (mainly pistols and revolvers).

Co-ordinated by the Central Inspectorate for Arms and Explosives of the Guardia Civil (Spain’s central agency for the administrative control of firearms), the competent Spanish authorities seized 7 015 illegal firearms in 2006. At present, the Spanish authorities have a total of 291 196 firearms of different kinds stockpiled (bonded, seized and confiscated); 22 392 firearms will be auctioned and 40 772 others destroyed in 2006.

During 2006, the Spanish authorities carried out 23 727 inspections of facilities where firearms and/or explosives are produced or stored (including factories, commercial outfits, sports shooting facilities, private security companies, etc.); of that total, 8 071 inspections were carried out on facilities related to firearms and 15 656 inspections on facilities where explosives are produced or stored.

Additionally, Customs and Tax officials paid several visits to ports and airports as part of their programme to combat gun-running during arms export.

SWEDEN

The legislation on small arms and light weapons was amended on some points, inter alia, the information on contact details for arms brokers in the national arms brokers register will no longer be confidential.

According to a new ordinance that came into force on 1 July 2006, Swedish Customs are obliged to inform the Swedish Police about all weapons that cross the Swedish border into Sweden.

Legislation on a time-limited firearms amnesty was approved by Parliament at the end of 2006 and came into force on 1 March 2007. The amnesty was in force from 1 March to 31 May 2007. The purpose of the legislation is to decrease the number of illegal and unregistered weapons in Sweden.

EUROPEAN UNION

In 2006, the Safety Assessment for Foreign Air-carriers (SAFA) Directive was implemented and three legislative proposals addressing regulatory measures on the territory of the EU were put forward:

| — | Updating of the EC Weapons Directive (91/477); |
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Updating of the EC Weapons Directive (91/477);

| — | Proposal for an EC Directive on Firearms to implement the UN Firearms Protocol; |
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Proposal for an EC Directive on Firearms to implement the UN Firearms Protocol;

| — | Commission’s Communication on the security of explosives, detonators, bomb making equipment and firearms in the EU. |
| --- | --- |

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Commission’s Communication on the security of explosives, detonators, bomb making equipment and firearms in the EU.

II.   INTERNATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS IN 2006

AUSTRIA

OSCE

OSCE

Austria supported the further implementation of OSCE documents on SALW as well as on stockpiles of conventional ammunition. Austria organised a first presentation of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition at the Security Dialogue of the Forum for Security Co-operation of the OSCE on 29 March 2006. The aim of this effort was first of all to familiarise the participating States with the regulatory framework and activities as well as with the EU's projects on SALW, and secondly to build the basis for enhanced co-ordination and co-operation between the OSCE and EU, in order to ensure that the strengths and differing capacities were used in the most cost-effective way and to avoid duplication of work.

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC)

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC)

Austria gave financial support to a project for the destruction of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and MANPADS in Kazakhstan. The US-led project was launched in April 2006.

The project for the destruction of small arms and light weapons (SALW), MANPADS and ammunition in Ukraine, also financed by Austria was further implemented in 2006.

United Nations

United Nations

At the 61st UN General Assembly, Austria co-sponsored the following resolutions relevant to SALW:

‘Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them’, ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles’. Austria voted in favour of the resolution ‘Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’

BELGIUM

Belgium supports several projects in the world in the area of SALW, namely:

Africa

Africa

South Africa — EUR 216 700 — Safer Africa

Project designed to increase and strengthen police law-enforcement capabilities in South Africa by reducing light weapons in risk areas.

Burundi — DRC — Rwanda — EUR 400 000 — RECSA-GRIP

Project named ‘Building support and capacities for the development of National Action Plans on small arms and light weapons in Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC’.

Latin America

Latin America

Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala — EUR 107 800 — Arias Foundation

Project designed to raise the awareness of the most vulnerable members of society (young people) in the six countries of the impact of firearms in their life through awareness-raising activities in secondary schools.

Brazil — EUR 70 467 — UNODC

Project designed to intensify the efforts by the Federal District (Brasilia) community to prevent violence caused by drugs and the proliferation of firearms.

Asia

Asia

Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka — EUR 100 000 — Safer World

Project designed to strengthen governmental capacities and the capacities of civil society for combating the proliferation of light weapons in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka (application of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms).

Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

Belarus — EUR 55 370 — OSCE

Strengthening capacities in the field of light weapons stockpile management and security.

Kosovo — EUR 94 543 — KOSSAC

UNDP project named ‘KOSSAC’: Kosovo Small Arms Control Initiative.

Ukraine — EUR 25 000

Rehabilitation and protection of the area surrounding the ammunition depot in Novobohdanivka.

BULGARIA

Bulgaria financed a project for the destruction of 1 897 small arms and light weapons which were illegally held by civilians and subsequently confiscated by the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro. Bulgaria donated USD 7 588 to the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro for the completion of the project. The destruction was completed on 28 February 2006.

In 2006 Bulgaria hosted an international seminar entitled ‘Export Control of Dual-Use Items and Arms’: Industry Outreach (Sofia, 22-23 May 2006). The 2006 Sofia seminar was part of the continuing implementation of the Joint Action Plan of Hungary and Bulgaria under the Australia Group outreach programme targeting non-participating States.

The Sofia seminar was an opportunity for an exchange of information, experience and training in the form of presentations and interactive discussions for participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the FY Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro.

Following its policy to assist NATO partners as much as possible in dealing with the problems of security and defence, in 2006 Bulgaria participated in 9 of the 10 current NATO/PFP Trust Fund Projects. Five of these projects were dedicated to the collection and destruction of SALW:

| 1. | Trust Fund Serbia and Montenegro II for destruction of 1 320 620 APLs in Serbia and Montenegro: EUR 30 000. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Trust Fund Serbia and Montenegro II for destruction of 1 320 620 APLs in Serbia and Montenegro: EUR 30 000.

| 2. | Trust Fund Ukraine II for destruction of munitions, SALW and MANPADS in Ukraine: EUR 25 000. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Trust Fund Ukraine II for destruction of munitions, SALW and MANPADS in Ukraine: EUR 25 000.

| 3. | Trust Fund for destruction of SALW and MANPADS in Kazakhstan: EUR 10 226. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Trust Fund for destruction of SALW and MANPADS in Kazakhstan: EUR 10 226.

| 4. | Trust Fund Albania II for destruction of munitions for SALW in Albania: EUR 25 000. |
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4.

Trust Fund Albania II for destruction of munitions for SALW in Albania: EUR 25 000.

| 5. | Trust Fund for clearance of 569 hectares of contaminated land and disposal of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Azerbaijan: EUR 15 000. |
| --- | --- |

5.

Trust Fund for clearance of 569 hectares of contaminated land and disposal of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Azerbaijan: EUR 15 000.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence has submitted the information that the tasks of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, participating in peacekeeping operations in 2006, have not included the collection and destruction of SALW.

CYPRUS

Cyprus actively participates in the work undertaken in this field by the UN and the OSCE.

Specifically, Cyprus provides reports to the UN for the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. Furthermore, it has provided information to the UNHCHR (based on decision 124/2004) concerning ‘the prevention of human rights violations caused by the availability and misuse of SALW’.

Cyprus also provides information to the OSCE, concerning national practices and procedures for the export of Conventional Arms and Related Technology (FSC.DEL/269/06, 27.6.2006), on Conventional Arms Transfers (FSC.DEL/432/06, 26.9.2006) and on SALW (FSC.DEL/14/07, 24.1.2007).

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic actively participates in the implementation of the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW. In 2006, the Czech Republic contributed CZK 1 000 000 (USD 47 308,17 = EUR 34 910) to the activities of the Trust Fund for the Consolidation of Peace through Practical Disarmament Measures. This sum will be used to support the second phase of the CASA database, which is being implemented from November 2006 to November 2007. One of the main goals of the CASA database is to monitor the implementation of the UN Programme of Action by individual UN Member States.

Interagency coordination in 2006 concentrated namely on the preparation of the 2006 Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW and on the implementation of the multilateral instrument on marking and tracing. Due consideration was also given to the debate in other relevant multilateral fora (UNGA First Committee, OSCE, Wassenaar Arrangement).

The Czech Republic cooperated inter alia with national offices of the Interpol in Lima and Wiesbaden concerning 147 cases involving 1 791 arms.

inter alia

DENMARK

The Danish law enforcement authorities participate in various international and regional initiatives dealing with arms control and arms trafficking issues.

Since November 2006 the Danish police has participated in Operation Crossfire II concerning arms smuggling within the framework of the Baltic Sea Task Force.

Denmark is supporting the disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-combatants in Liberia through a UNDP Trust Fund with a total of EUR 2,7 million (2004-2006).

Denmark is supporting the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-combatants in Afghanistan through a UNDP Trust Fund with a total of EUR 1,1 million (2005-2006).

ESTONIA

In 2006, Estonian soldiers in Iraq confiscated arms and ammunition during patrol operations in Iraq several times. Operations were conducted in cooperation with the US and Iraqi land force unit.

FINLAND

| — | Finland has supported the ECOWAS Small Arms Programme (ECOSAP) with EUR 250 000 in 2006. A similar amount will be disbursed in 2007 and 2008, bringing total Finnish support to EUR 750 000; |
| --- | --- |

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Finland has supported the ECOWAS Small Arms Programme (ECOSAP) with EUR 250 000 in 2006. A similar amount will be disbursed in 2007 and 2008, bringing total Finnish support to EUR 750 000;

| — | Contribution to the OSCE mission in the Republic of Moldova, covering destruction of surplus and outdated stocks of ammunition (total EUR 160 000); |
| --- | --- |

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Contribution to the OSCE mission in the Republic of Moldova, covering destruction of surplus and outdated stocks of ammunition (total EUR 160 000);

| — | Contribution to the OSCE SALW and Conventional Ammunition Programme in the Republic of Tajikistan, Phase II covering restoration of ammunition magazines in six localities (total EUR 100 000); |
| --- | --- |

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Contribution to the OSCE SALW and Conventional Ammunition Programme in the Republic of Tajikistan, Phase II covering restoration of ammunition magazines in six localities (total EUR 100 000);

| — | Financial support to the UNDP-administered SALW -project in Albania. The project started as a weapons-for-development swap to recover the illegally owned ammunition and small weapons stolen from army depots during the crisis in the late 1990s. The collection was made possible by amnesty laws passed by the government. The scope of the project was later widened to community policing development, aiming at building trust between the law enforcement and public service and common citizens. Finland funded the project until 2006 when it ended. |
| --- | --- |

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Financial support to the UNDP-administered SALW -project in Albania. The project started as a weapons-for-development swap to recover the illegally owned ammunition and small weapons stolen from army depots during the crisis in the late 1990s. The collection was made possible by amnesty laws passed by the government. The scope of the project was later widened to community policing development, aiming at building trust between the law enforcement and public service and common citizens. Finland funded the project until 2006 when it ended.

Other initiatives

Other initiatives

Finland contributed to the decommissioning process under the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) mandate by seconding 11 experts. Their expenses were about EUR 545 000. The decommissioning of the Free Aceh Movement's (GAM) armaments began on 15 September 2005 and was executed in four stages and concluded by 31 December 2005. According to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and GAM, GAM agreed to undertake decommission of all arms, ammunition and explosives held by the participants of GAM with the assistance of the Aceh Monitoring Mission. GAM handed over to the AMM 840 arms which successfully underwent the decommissioning process. The decommissioned arms were all destroyed.

FRANCE

United Nations: in 2006 France contributed to the special fund of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa in Lomé (UNREC) (EUR 77 000).

ECOWAS: France participated in the support programme for the control of light weapons in the ECOWAS Member States (USD 260 000).

Tajikistan: between September 2005 and April 2006, a mission of 4 French experts went to Tajikistan (training, supervision of stock creation, control of operations to destroy unstable ammunition) as part of operations carried out under the aegis of the OSCE.

Ukraine: In May 2006, participation in the mission evaluating and advising on the decontamination (destruction of surplus ammunition stocks) of the Novobogdanivka site (Ukraine). From September to October 2006, training mission for bomb disposal experts for the destruction of surplus ammunition stocks in Ukraine (3 experts).

Lebanon: a security audit of the ammunition stocks of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) was carried out in March 2006. Further to the audit, the LAF was given training by army bomb disposal experts.

GERMANY

Germany contributes to projects and activities in the field of SALW including their ammunition in the framework of and in cooperation with a variety of institutions and organisations. Most of these activities are undertaken within a wider time frame than the calendar year. Key initiatives in 2006 are listed below:

Afghanistan (2004-)

Afghanistan (2004-)

Since 2004, Germany has been supporting the DD&R and DIAG processes in Afghanistan by co-financing the disposal and destruction of surplus weapons and ammunition. Overall budget: EUR 3 000 000.

Albania (2006)

Albania (2006)

In 2006 Germany supported the NATO Partnership for Peace Trust Fund for the destruction of SALW, MANPADS and ammunition in Albania. Contribution: EUR 107 000.

Angola (2003-2006)

Angola (2003-2006)

Germany supports the social and economic reintegration of ex-combatants and their families in Angola. For the purpose of sustainable reintegration, a community-based approach is taken. Resettlement is combined with rural development and agricultural programmes. The programme also involves reconstruction of roads and thereby creates employment for the receiving communities and the ex-combatants. Capacities of local governments and administration are strengthened to develop and implement programmes for reintegration. Overall budget: EUR 11 990 332.

Burundi (2003-2007)

Burundi (2003-2007)

Germany supports the national demobilisation and reintegration programme of Burundi. The project has four main components: empowerment of communal reintegration structures, revitalisation of agricultural production, income generation and rehabilitation of infrastructure. Overall budget: EUR 15 940 000.

Cambodia (2006-)

Cambodia (2006-)

Germany conducted an evaluation visit in December 2006 to look into the problems of ammunition stockpiles and develop a project proposal for implementation in 2007-2008 with regard to improving the management and security of stockpiles as well as the destruction of surplus ammunition.

Democratic Republic of Congo — DRC (2004-2007)

Democratic Republic of Congo — DRC (2004-2007)

Germany supports the National Programme for Demobilisation and Reintegration (NDRP). Following support for the national ‘Comité Technique de Planification et de Coordination’ (CTPC), Germany has committed funds for a three year cooperation with the ‘Commission Nationale de Démobilisation et Réinsertion’ (CONADER). Overall budget: EUR 2 500 000.

Democratic Republic of Congo — DRC (2005-2011)

Democratic Republic of Congo — DRC (2005-2011)

Germany supports the social and economic reintegration of children and youth formerly associated with fighting forces in the Province Maniema in DRC. Overall budget: EUR 12 000 000.

EAC (2004-)

EAC (2004-)

Germany supports the development of a political, legal and institutional framework within the East African Community (EAC) to control the uncontrolled proliferation of SALW. Components of the project with the Secretariat of the EAC include organisational development to set up a Regional Focal Point on Small Arms Control, harmonisation of policies and legislation, training, development of systematic approaches to assess the problem of SALW, and education and awareness-raising in cooperation with civil society organisations in EAC Member States.

Greater Great Lakes Region (2003-2006)

Greater Great Lakes Region (2003-2006)

Germany contributed to the Trust Fund of the World Bank led Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme (MDRP) for the Greater Great Lakes Region. Overall budget: EUR 9 900 000.

League of Arab States (2004-)

League of Arab States (2004-)

Germany continued its cooperation with the League of Arab States (AL) by providing assistance to SALW-related work at various levels. Support was given for a meeting of SALW focal points from the countries of the League. The translation of OSCE documents on SALW issues into the Arabic language continued. A study visit to Berlin, Vienna (OSCE) and Geilenkirchen (German Armed Forces Verification Centre) was organised for AL Secretariat staff in October 2006. To give an example of concrete cooperation with an AL Member State, in September 2006 Germany organised a two-day training course on stockpile management and security in Tunisia.

Liberia (2005-2007)

Liberia (2005-2007)

Germany supports the national Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme (DDRR). The programme provides psychosocial assistance to victims of war-related sexual abuse in Liberia and supports the reintegration of homecoming refugees and ex-combatants through labour-intensive rehabilitation of infrastructure. Overall budget EUR 10 750 000

SADC (2004-)

SADC (2004-)

Germany supports the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the implementation of the SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Material. As part of this cooperation Germany has deployed an advisor on peace and security issues to support the establishment of a Regional Focal Point at the SADC Secretariat. The project includes the following components: harmonisation of policies and legislation, capacity building, training of law enforcement agencies and cooperation with civil society actors.

Rwanda (2003-2007)

Rwanda (2003-2007)

Germany supports the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRP) and the process of social reintegration of ex-combatants in Rwanda. Overall budget: EUR 8 773 000.

Senegal (2005-2006)

Senegal (2005-2006)

Germany supported programmes for small arms awareness in the Casamance region. The programme was based on a network of various local NGOs that have developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle the problem of the uncontrolled proliferation of SALW. Activities started in 2005 with a coordination workshop and with capacity building. The main focus was awareness raising among the population and government officials in the cross-border region.

Sierra Leone (2004-2006)

Sierra Leone (2004-2006)

Germany supports education and vocational training for children and youth affected by armed conflict including children formerly associated with the fighting forces in Sierra Leone. Overall budget: EUR 12 000 000.

South Eastern Europe/RACVIAC (2005-)

South Eastern Europe/RACVIAC (2005-)

Germany continued to support SALW-related seminar work in the regional centre for arms control. Concrete initiatives included brokering and stockpile management.

Uganda (2005-2007)

Uganda (2005-2007)

Germany supports the National Focal Point on Small Arms to implement the Ugandan Action Plan on Small Arms Control in the areas of capacity building and awareness raising. In accordance with the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and other regional agreements, the Ugandan government has created a bureau for the coordination of small arms control.

HUNGARY

Global measures

Global measures

The Republic of Hungary has been involved in international negotiations aimed at preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in SALW at both regional and international level. Hungarian licensing policy strictly observes all UN Security Council embargoes and other embargoes declared by the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union and supports moratoria such as that of ECOWAS.

Partnering with other countries Hungary has provided technical and financial assistance to support the regional implementation of the measures contained in the UN Programme of Action. It has taken an active part in other activities carried out in the framework of other organisations too, such as NATO’s Partnership for Peace, Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe etc.

Within the framework of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Hungary has undertaken a number of politically binding commitments in relation to SALW. The OSCE Document on SALW provides a general framework to deal with problems related to SALW, by setting out measures, norms and principles in the following fields:

| — | Manufacturing, marking and record-keeping, |
| --- | --- |

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Manufacturing, marking and record-keeping,

| — | Common export criteria and export controls, |
| --- | --- |

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Common export criteria and export controls,

| — | Management of stockpiles, reduction of surpluses and destruction, |
| --- | --- |

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Management of stockpiles, reduction of surpluses and destruction,

| — | Early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. |
| --- | --- |

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Early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

Additional commitments dealing with specific aspects of the SALW issue have been set out in the following OSCE documents:

| — | OSCE Principles for Export Controls of Man-portable Air Defence Systems, |
| --- | --- |

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OSCE Principles for Export Controls of Man-portable Air Defence Systems,

| — | OSCE Principles on the Control of Brokering in SALW, |
| --- | --- |

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OSCE Principles on the Control of Brokering in SALW,

| — | Standard Elements of End-User Certificates and Verification Procedures for SALW Exports. |
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Standard Elements of End-User Certificates and Verification Procedures for SALW Exports.

The OSCE Principles governing conventional Arms Transfers are also relevant for the export control of arms, including SALW.

Hungary, together with Finland, the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United States has co-sponsored a draft decision on harmonising the elements of end-user certificates within the OSCE framework. A decision on the issue was adopted on 17 November 2004.

In 2004 Hungary coordinated efforts within the OSCE to respond to assistance requests from participating States relating to SALW problems.

In accordance with the provisions of the OSCE document on SALW, Hungary has exchanged information with OSCE participating States on national marking systems before 30 June 2001. This information is updated, as and when necessary, to reflect changes in national marking systems.

In accordance with the provisions of the OSCE document on SALW, Hungary has exchanged information with OSCE participating States on an annual basis since 2002 on the category, subcategory and quantity of small arms identified and/or seized and destroyed on their territory during the previous calendar year, as well as small on exports to, and imports from, other participating States.

In accordance with the provisions of the OSCE Document on SALW, Hungary exchanged information with OSCE participating States before 30 June 2001 on:

| — | National procedures for the control of manufacture of small arms, |
| --- | --- |

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National procedures for the control of manufacture of small arms,

| — | Relevant national legislation and current practice on export policy, procedures, documentation and on control over national brokering, |
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Relevant national legislation and current practice on export policy, procedures, documentation and on control over national brokering,

| — | General information on national stockpile management and security procedures, |
| --- | --- |

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General information on national stockpile management and security procedures,

| — | Techniques and procedures for the destruction of SALW. |
| --- | --- |

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Techniques and procedures for the destruction of SALW.

This information is updated as and when necessary, to reflect changes in national legislation and procedures.

Regional measures

Regional measures

Hungary is committed to a plan of action designed specifically to meet the needs of South Eastern Europe known as the Regional Implementation Plan on Combating the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The Regional Implementation Plan is an initiative of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Since November 2000 three annual consultation meetings have brought key stakeholders together to review regional efforts to stem SALW proliferation, learn lessons and develop practical projects within the framework of the Szeged Small Arms Process (SSAP). The Szeged Small Arms Process is an informal forum, which allows governments, civil society and international organisations to develop policies and practical projects that combat the proliferation and misuse of SALW across South Eastern Europe. The SSAP was jointly initiated by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Saferworld, a London-based independent foreign policy think tank at a conference in Szeged, Hungary in November 2000. Since the adoption of the Stability Pact Regional Implementation Plan in November 2001 it has been a complementary framework for co-operation between governments and civil society.

International and Regional Cooperation

International and Regional Cooperation

The Hungarian MFA organised together with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Non-proliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation, an export control seminar for South Eastern European countries in Szeged, Hungary in June 2003. The conference presented basic building blocks of an effective export control system and provided an opportunity to discuss regional approaches and concerns, the latter being mainly how to tackle SALW-related problems in the region.

In co-operation with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Non-proliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation, the Hungarian MFA organised the Fifth International Conference on Export Controls in Budapest, Hungary, on 15 to 17 September2003. (The conference was the fifth in a series of events known as the ‘Oxford Process’.) More than 180 export control officials from over 40 countries and representatives of the multilateral export control regimes, industry and the NGO community participated. One of the main topics of the conference was the discussion on new approaches to controlling conventional arms, especially certain types of SALW such as MANPADS.

The most important recent event is also a result of international co-operation. Hungary finished the reduction/destruction of 1 540 pieces of Strela-2 type MANPADS in February 2006. The project was partly an American initiative and co-financed by the USA.

For the purpose of identifying groups and individuals engaged in illicit trade in SALW, the Hungarian Police co-operates with INTERPOL, and EUROPOL and is a member of the SECI Regional Centre for Combating Trans-border Crime to design a system for South Eastern European countries to exchange information on illicit SALW trafficking.

IRELAND

| — | EUR 500 000 for The World Bank’s Trust Fund for the Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme for projects in the Great Lakes region of Africa to deal with ex-combatants. |
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EUR 500 000 for The World Bank’s Trust Fund for the Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme for projects in the Great Lakes region of Africa to deal with ex-combatants.

| — | EUR 200 000 for the Partnership for Peace Trust Fund towards the destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Ukraine and Albania. |
| --- | --- |

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EUR 200 000 for the Partnership for Peace Trust Fund towards the destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Ukraine and Albania.

| — | EUR 89 000 funding for Safer Africa for a project to reduce the proliferation of SALW in Africa. |
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EUR 89 000 funding for Safer Africa for a project to reduce the proliferation of SALW in Africa.

| — | EUR 10 000 for IANSA towards attendance at the UN Conference on the Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which took place in New York in June-July 2006. |
| --- | --- |

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EUR 10 000 for IANSA towards attendance at the UN Conference on the Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which took place in New York in June-July 2006.

| — | EUR 10 000 for IANSA towards the improvement of the IANSA website, which is a valuable resource for those working on issues related to small arms and light weapons. |
| --- | --- |

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EUR 10 000 for IANSA towards the improvement of the IANSA website, which is a valuable resource for those working on issues related to small arms and light weapons.

ITALY

In 2006, Italy actively participated in several regional and global meetings aimed at exchanging information on national procedures and identifying common solutions to problems related to the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons.

In particular, Italy attended the following events:

| — | Workshop on SALW reduction and control in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised by UNDP (Sarajevo, 21 March 2006); |
| --- | --- |

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Workshop on SALW reduction and control in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised by UNDP (Sarajevo, 21 March 2006);

| — | Workshop on brokering activities, organised by RACVIAC, OSCE, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway (Zagreb, 29-30 March 2006); |
| --- | --- |

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Workshop on brokering activities, organised by RACVIAC, OSCE, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway (Zagreb, 29-30 March 2006);

| — | OSCE Special meeting on Small Arms and Light Weapons in preparation for the UN Review Conference on the PoA (Vienna, 17 May 2006); |
| --- | --- |

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OSCE Special meeting on Small Arms and Light Weapons in preparation for the UN Review Conference on the PoA (Vienna, 17 May 2006);

| — | Workshop on MANPADS, organised by Israel (Jerusalem, 5-6 April 2006); |
| --- | --- |

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Workshop on MANPADS, organised by Israel (Jerusalem, 5-6 April 2006);

| — | Workshop on SALW export controls organised by NGOs Oxfam, Saferworld and Amnesty International (Brussels, 20 April 2006). |
| --- | --- |

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Workshop on SALW export controls organised by NGOs Oxfam, Saferworld and Amnesty International (Brussels, 20 April 2006).

Other initiatives

Other initiatives

In 2006, Italian armed forces participating in multilateral peace-keeping operations collected and/or seized and destroyed the following small arms and light weapons:

In Iraq:

| — | 12 AK 47 assault rifles; |
| --- | --- |

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12 AK 47 assault rifles;

| — | 4 grenade launchers RPG; |
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4 grenade launchers RPG;

| — | 4 rocket launchers; |
| --- | --- |

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4 rocket launchers;

| — | 1 light machine-guns; |
| --- | --- |

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1 light machine-guns;

| — | 1 mortar; |
| --- | --- |

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1 mortar;

| — | 14 miscellaneous. |
| --- | --- |

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14 miscellaneous.

Sub total: 36 small arms and light weapons destroyed.

In Kosovo:

| — | 14 AK47 assault rifles; |
| --- | --- |

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14 AK47 assault rifles;

| — | 28 rifles; |
| --- | --- |

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28 rifles;

| — | 2 carbines; |
| --- | --- |

—

2 carbines;

| — | 1 rifle M59; |
| --- | --- |

—

1 rifle M59;

| — | 6 hunting rifles; |
| --- | --- |

—

6 hunting rifles;

| — | 1 grenade launcher RPG; |
| --- | --- |

—

1 grenade launcher RPG;

| — | 7 rocket launchers; |
| --- | --- |

—

7 rocket launchers;

| — | 4 light machine guns; |
| --- | --- |

—

4 light machine guns;

| — | 1 RPG 2; |
| --- | --- |

—

1 RPG 2;

| — | 2 mortars; |
| --- | --- |

—

2 mortars;

| — | 1 musket; |
| --- | --- |

—

1 musket;

| — | 18 pistols; |
| --- | --- |

—

18 pistols;

| — | 575 miscellaneous |
| --- | --- |

—

575 miscellaneous

Sub total: 658 small arms and light weapons destroyed.

In Bosnia:

| — | 82 rifles; |
| --- | --- |

—

82 rifles;

| — | 9 rocket launchers; |
| --- | --- |

—

9 rocket launchers;

| — | 115 miscellaneous. |
| --- | --- |

—

115 miscellaneous.

Sub total: 207 small arms and light weapons destroyed.

Total: 901 small arms and light weapons destroyed.

LATVIA

In September 2006 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia in cooperation with the US National Nuclear Safety Administration organised a seminar for Latvian enterprises and export controls officials: ‘Development of Export Controls from EU and Global Perspective’. Participants were updated on the existing legislation and procedures with regard to arms control in the Republic of Latvia.

LITHUANIA

a)   International reporting obligations

International reporting obligations

Lithuania submitted the following national reports and questionnaires in 2006:

| — | Voluntary Report under the UN Programme of Action against illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons; |
| --- | --- |

—

Voluntary Report under the UN Programme of Action against illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons;

| — | Information to the UN Register for Conventional Arms; |
| --- | --- |

—

Information to the UN Register for Conventional Arms;

| — | Annual report under the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports; |
| --- | --- |

—

Annual report under the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports;

| — | Annual information on SALW imports, exports and SALW identified as surplus and/or seized and destroyed under OSCE document on SALW; |
| --- | --- |

—

Annual information on SALW imports, exports and SALW identified as surplus and/or seized and destroyed under OSCE document on SALW;

| — | OSCE Questionnaire on Policy and/or National Practices and Procedures for the Export of Conventional Arms and Related Technology; |
| --- | --- |

—

OSCE Questionnaire on Policy and/or National Practices and Procedures for the Export of Conventional Arms and Related Technology;

| — | Regular reports on exports of arms and dual-use goods under the Wassenaar Arrangement; |
| --- | --- |

—

Regular reports on exports of arms and dual-use goods under the Wassenaar Arrangement;

| — | National Report on Export Controls of MANPADS under the Wassenaar Arrangement; |
| --- | --- |

—

National Report on Export Controls of MANPADS under the Wassenaar Arrangement;

| — | UNIDIR, UNDDA and the Small Arms Survey Questionnaire on illicit small arms brokering. |
| --- | --- |

—

UNIDIR, UNDDA and the Small Arms Survey Questionnaire on illicit small arms brokering.

b)   International assistance

International assistance

Lithuania has contributed EUR 10 000 for the OSCE/EU project to clean the ammunition storage accident site in Novobogdanivka, Ukraine.

LUXEMBOURG

From 2001 to 2004 the Luxembourg authorities funded a project, run by the European Institute for Research and Information on Peace and Security (GRIP), to strengthen an African NGO network for conflict prevention and peace-building. The project includes the establishment of a network of Central and West African NGOs working on peace culture, peace-making and combating the spread of small arms. The total contribution made to that project amounts to EUR 223 000. In 2006 the GRIP was also awarded a sum of EUR 15 000 as a voluntary contribution.

MALTA

Regional level

Regional level

Malta participates in the submission of annual reports with regard to OSCE Information Exchange on Small Arms and Light Weapons, in accordance with the OSCE Document on SALW, as well as OSCE Information Exchange on Conventional Arms Transfers and Military Information. As an EU Member State, Malta regularly participates in meetings of the EU Council Working Group on Arms Exports Control, which inter alia include discussions and negotiations on a review of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

inter alia

Global level

Global level

Malta applies and implements in full, through its national legislation, the provisions of arms embargoes decided upon by the United Nations Security Council and supports UN General Assembly resolutions relating to conventional weapons issues, the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, transparency in armaments and transparency of military expenditures. Malta also submits on an annual basis its national report in conformity with UN General Assembly resolution ‘Transparency in Armaments’.

In April 2005 Malta became a Participating State of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Weapons and Dual Use Goods and Technologies.

Malta continues to follow with interest and fully supports the proposal for a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty on the establishment of common international standards for trade in all conventional weapons, to be negotiated within the United Nations. With regard to brokering of SALW, Malta feels that further substantive work is required in this area at the global level. Brokering controls remain a high priority, since illicit arms brokering and illicit trafficking of SALW are recognised as among the main factors fuelling illegal world trade.

Malta also supports the full implementation of the 2001 UN Programme of Action on SALW and will work towards a successful outcome of the 2006 Review Conference of the UN Plan of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects. Malta is committed to work against the spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons and welcomes the adoption of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, at the UN General Assembly's 60th session and will work to ensure the future adoption of having this International Instrument legally binding. Malta also supported UNGA resolution 60/68 addressing the negative humanitarian and development impact of the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of SALW and their excessive accumulation, which recognises the roles that women and women’s organisations could play in small arms disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration processes, the requirement that the needs of women and girl combatants and dependants should be addressed in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes and the commitment to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in armed conflicts.

As an EU Member State, Malta forms part of the European Union Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition, adopted by the EU in December 2005.

Malta joined the other Heads of Government at the Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held in Malta in November 2005, in adopting the Final Communiqué, which inter alia refers to SALW and to the Arms Trade Treaty. In their Final Communiqué, the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth noted the proposal for the development of common international standards for trade in conventional weapons and added their support to calls for work on an Arms Trade Treaty to commence at the United Nations. With regard to SALW, the Heads of Government expressed, inter alia, their deep concern over the illicit production, illegal trade and uncontrolled availability of small and light weapons, which prolong conflict, increase levels of armed violence and undermine development and urged all Member States to support the strengthening of the UN Programme of Action on SALW.

inter alia

inter alia

NETHERLANDS

In 2006 the Netherlands contributed to the following institutions, projects and other activities in the field of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and ammunition.

| — | SaferAfrica, Sustaining Action project for the purpose of combating the illicit small arms trade in South, West and East Africa; |
| --- | --- |

—

SaferAfrica, Sustaining Action project for the purpose of combating the illicit small arms trade in South, West and East Africa;

| — | Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA), implementation of the Nairobi Declaration and Nairobi Protocol in the Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa; |
| --- | --- |

—

Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA), implementation of the Nairobi Declaration and Nairobi Protocol in the Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa;

| — | Saferworld, ‘Reducing armed violence, enhancing human security and creating the conditions for sustainable development through controlling small arms’; |
| --- | --- |

—

Saferworld, ‘Reducing armed violence, enhancing human security and creating the conditions for sustainable development through controlling small arms’;

| — | Institute for Security Studies (ISS), country studies and cross-border research in South, East and Central Africa for the purpose of implementation and data transfer; |
| --- | --- |

—

Institute for Security Studies (ISS), country studies and cross-border research in South, East and Central Africa for the purpose of implementation and data transfer;

| — | IANSA, global outreach strategy for small arms reduction; |
| --- | --- |

—

IANSA, global outreach strategy for small arms reduction;

| — | Small Arms Survey, ‘core funding’; |
| --- | --- |

—

Small Arms Survey, ‘core funding’;

| — | Dealing and Wheeling in SALW, documentary by Sander Francken, financial contribution for the development and the distribution of the documentary; |
| --- | --- |

—

Dealing and Wheeling in SALW, documentary by Sander Francken, financial contribution for the development and the distribution of the documentary;

| — | Geneva Forum, ‘Building Peace and Security Partnerships’; |
| --- | --- |

—

Geneva Forum, ‘Building Peace and Security Partnerships’;

| — | Asociacion para Politicas Publicas (APP), activities against the proliferation of and illicit trade in small arms in Argentina; |
| --- | --- |

—

Asociacion para Politicas Publicas (APP), activities against the proliferation of and illicit trade in small arms in Argentina;

| — | Saferworld, ‘Biting the Bullet’ project; |
| --- | --- |

—

Saferworld, ‘Biting the Bullet’ project;

| — | HALO Trust, collection and destruction of small arms, light weapons and ammunition in Afghanistan; |
| --- | --- |

—

HALO Trust, collection and destruction of small arms, light weapons and ammunition in Afghanistan;

| — | HALO Trust ‘Weapons & Ammunition Disposal Programme Angola, Phase 1’, technical support to Angolan Civil Disarmament; |
| --- | --- |

—

HALO Trust ‘Weapons & Ammunition Disposal Programme Angola, Phase 1’, technical support to Angolan Civil Disarmament;

| — | OSCE, project for the destruction and safe storage of SALW and conventional ammunition in the Republic of Tajikistan; |
| --- | --- |

—

OSCE, project for the destruction and safe storage of SALW and conventional ammunition in the Republic of Tajikistan;

| — | UNIDIR, development of a ‘Security Needs Asessment protocol’; |
| --- | --- |

—

UNIDIR, development of a ‘Security Needs Asessment protocol’;

| — | UNIDIR, comparative brokering study, published in 2006; |
| --- | --- |

—

UNIDIR, comparative brokering study, published in 2006;

| — | UNDP/Bosnia and Herzegovina, SALW and Ammunition destruction; |
| --- | --- |

—

UNDP/Bosnia and Herzegovina, SALW and Ammunition destruction;

| — | UNDP/Kosovo, ‘Kosovo Small Arms Control Initiative’; |
| --- | --- |

—

UNDP/Kosovo, ‘Kosovo Small Arms Control Initiative’;

| — | UNDP/BCPR Trustfund, general contribution to Service line 4 Small arms and light weapons; |
| --- | --- |

—

UNDP/BCPR Trustfund, general contribution to Service line 4 Small arms and light weapons;

| — | UNDP/BCPR Trustfund, Manu River Union Small Arms Control; |
| --- | --- |

—

UNDP/BCPR Trustfund, Manu River Union Small Arms Control;

| — | NAMSA/NATO PfP TF, destruction of small arms and light weapons, MANPADS and ammunition in the Ukraine; |
| --- | --- |

—

NAMSA/NATO PfP TF, destruction of small arms and light weapons, MANPADS and ammunition in the Ukraine;

| — | NAMSA/NATO PfP TF, destruction of ammunition Albania. |
| --- | --- |

—

NAMSA/NATO PfP TF, destruction of ammunition Albania.

POLAND

As in previous years, the Ministry of Economy has organised, co-sponsored and participated in bilateral and international meetings during which the principles and the experience of Poland in the area of arms export control were presented. A number of bilateral seminars and consultations on this subjects were held in 2006 including with Ukraine in January and August, Croatia in March and November; Slovakia in April; Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro in May; Bosnia and Herzegovina in June; Hungary in September and Germany in October. During the meetings a whole spectrum of matters related to the export control system were discussed. The Polish side provided a current overview of the national export control legislation and system, also presenting political considerations that are taken into account in the licensing process. Special attention was given to the obligations associated with Poland's EU membership (key role of the EU Code of Conduct) and the Wassenaar Arrangement (resolutions and provisions), and also the UN Programme of Action in SALW. Experts involved in the licensing process presented the functioning of the Polish export control process with practical examples of inter-agency co-operation.

ROMANIA

In 2006, Romania participated in several regional and international initiatives concerning SALW-related issues such as INTERPOL, EUROPOL, the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Organisation (BSEC), the Central European Initiative (CEI) and the South east Europe Co-operative Initiative (SECI) Regional Centre for Combating Trans-border Crimes.

Financial allocations were made for the construction of an integrated border management system in January 2006, with the Border Police establishing a ‘Communications and IT Office’ to oversee its implementation. Border security has also been improved by the purchase of additional IT equipment, training in operational risk analysis, and the recruitment of 1 800 additional Border Police staff.

Romania participates in various international and regional mechanisms relating to SALW, including the OSCE, the UN PoA, and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

In 2006, Romanian experts participated in the first session of the UN Group of Governmental Experts to consider further steps to enhance international cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering with SALW.

Reports on SALW transfers are submitted to the relevant organisations and fora, but annual reports on conventional arms are also publicly available on the ANCEX official website (www.ancex.ro).

SLOVAKIA

Regional level

Regional level

Slovakia adheres to the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and as an OSCE member annually provides information on exports, imports and surplus of SALW, including other relevant information in this field in accordance with the OSCE Document on SALW. In its export control policy, Slovakia observes the OSCE Principles on Arms Transfers.

Global level

Global level

In the field of export control Slovakia observes international commitments stemming from the respective UN Security Council resolutions.

Slovakia is one of the signatories of the UN Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

This year Slovakia will submit for the first time annual information on export and imports of SALW to the UN register in accordance with resolution 61/66.

SLOVENIA

In 2005, Slovenia held the Chairmanship of the OSCE. Therefore, most of Slovenia's Small Arms and Light Weapons activities in that period were focused on the OSCE framework. These activities continued throughout 2006. Consequently, the following financial contributions include both 2005 and 2006.

In 2005, the Slovenian government assigned EUR 100 000 for the implementation of OSCE projects regarding the destruction of surpluses of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition. In 2006, the implementation of projects and the expenditure of 2005 funds continued, while the government assigned an additional EUR 15 025 for these purposes.

In 2005 and 2006, Slovenia’s expenditure in this field was intended for the following projects:

| 1. | Tajikistan: EUR 40 000 for the fitting out of small arms and light weapons storage. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Tajikistan: EUR 40 000 for the fitting out of small arms and light weapons storage.

| 2. | Tajikistan: EUR 19 808,12 for the destruction of 108 starting rocket engines, financed jointly by Slovenia and Andorra (total project value: EUR 36 990). |
| --- | --- |

2.

Tajikistan: EUR 19 808,12 for the destruction of 108 starting rocket engines, financed jointly by Slovenia and Andorra (total project value: EUR 36 990).

| 3. | Azerbaijan: EUR 15 191,88 for phase I of the project of destruction of melange rocket fuel; phase I has now been concluded. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Azerbaijan: EUR 15 191,88 for phase I of the project of destruction of melange rocket fuel; phase I has now been concluded.

| 4. | Ukraine: EUR 25 000 for the acquisition of UXO locators and mine detectors, and EUR 15 025 for the acquisition of UXO destruction devices. These projects are being implemented as part of the process of eliminating the consequences of the incident in the conventional ammunition storage in Novobogdanovka, Ukraine. |
| --- | --- |

4.

Ukraine: EUR 25 000 for the acquisition of UXO locators and mine detectors, and EUR 15 025 for the acquisition of UXO destruction devices. These projects are being implemented as part of the process of eliminating the consequences of the incident in the conventional ammunition storage in Novobogdanovka, Ukraine.

In 2005 and 2006, Slovenia’s total expenditure for the above projects was EUR 115 025. Some of the projects are still being implemented, and the remaining funds amount to EUR 35 091.

On the occasion of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Brussels on 5 and 6 December 2006, Slovenia — in conjunction with the OSCE Secretariat — presented the implementation of OSCE projects in the field of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition stockpiles and melange rocket fuel. Slovenia’s contribution to the implementation and financing of these projects was presented as well. Slovenian representatives regularly participate in the OSCE’s expert assessment visits in the countries facing problems in this area, while a representative of Slovenia’s Permanent Mission to the OSCE acts as coordinator for issues concerning the destruction of conventional ammunition surpluses within the OSCE’s Forum for Security Cooperation.

SPAIN

In the field of small arms and light weapons, Spain actively participates in the work of the UN, the OSCE, Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Financial, technical and other assistance given to relevant programmes and projects conducted by the UN bodies, other international or regional organisations and NGOs

Financial, technical and other assistance given to relevant programmes and projects conducted by the UN bodies, other international or regional organisations and NGOs

In December 2005 Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pledging to commit a minimum sum of EUR 1 000 000 (to be disbursed during the period 2006-2008) as a contribution to the activities and programmes of ECOWAS, including support for the ‘Programme of Small Arms Control in West Africa’ totalling EUR 750 000.

Financial, technical and other bilateral assistance given to other States, especially those in affected regions

Financial, technical and other bilateral assistance given to other States, especially those in affected regions

Spain continued with the technical assistance programme, initiated in 2005, given by the Guardia Civil to Cape Verde authorities (Ministry of Interior) on Firearms and Explosives control.

Co-ordination of practical measures with other Member States and with the European Commission

Co-ordination of practical measures with other Member States and with the European Commission

Spain participated in the meetings that took place in Brussels in the framework of the EU Directive on Firearms and the EU Directive on Explosives. Spain regularly uses the mechanism for consultations with other EU Member States provided for in the EU Code of Conduct on arms exports. All reports of loss or theft of firearms are transmitted to the Liaison Office of the Judiciary Police Service, which reports all relevant data to the Schengen Information System (SIS). Spain takes part in the EU MEDA programme with the aim of reinforcing border controls in Morocco; the EU Coordination Office for Palestinian Police Support, and the PAMECA Mission in support of the organisation and strengthening of the Albanese police.

In the framework of the EU ‘Althea Operation’ (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Spanish forces deployed with the Combined Task Force South (and integrated into EUFOR since 2004) collected the following material: 60 700 cartridges, 145 rounds (99 full, the rest empty), 79 weapons, 730 hand grenades, 56 weapon grenades, 3 200 mines and about 6,1 kg of explosives.

In the framework of the ‘Joint Enterprise Operation’ (Kosovo), Spanish forces collected 3 hunting rifles and 6 cartridges of related ammunition.

SWEDEN

In 2006, Sweden supported various programmes related to SALW, including the following:

| — | Agreement with UNDP/BCPR support projects, in cooperation with OSCE, relating to SALW destruction in countries in the OSCE region, such as Belarus (SEK 25 000 000; approx. EUR 2 700 000), |
| --- | --- |

—

Agreement with UNDP/BCPR support projects, in cooperation with OSCE, relating to SALW destruction in countries in the OSCE region, such as Belarus (SEK 25 000 000; approx. EUR 2 700 000),

| — | Funding to Small Arms Survey (SEK 1 000 000; approx. EUR 107 000), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Small Arms Survey (SEK 1 000 000; approx. EUR 107 000),

| — | Funding to Saferworld (SEK 800 000; approx. EUR 86 000), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Saferworld (SEK 800 000; approx. EUR 86 000),

| — | Funding to Viva Rio for project in Latin America (SEK 350 000; approx. EUR 37 500), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Viva Rio for project in Latin America (SEK 350 000; approx. EUR 37 500),

| — | Funding to IANSA (SEK 350 000; approx. EUR 37 500), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to IANSA (SEK 350 000; approx. EUR 37 500),

| — | Support through OSCE for destruction of SALW in Tajikistan (SEK 800 000; approx. EUR 86 000). |
| --- | --- |

—

Support through OSCE for destruction of SALW in Tajikistan (SEK 800 000; approx. EUR 86 000).

The Swedish authority for development assistance, SIDA, also contributed to SALW-related projects:

| — | Funding to Arias Foundation for project in Latin America (SEK 1 500 000; approx. EUR 161 800), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Arias Foundation for project in Latin America (SEK 1 500 000; approx. EUR 161 800),

| — | Funding to Oxfam GB for West Africa Arms Control Programme (SEK 6 000 000; approx. EUR 647 115), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Oxfam GB for West Africa Arms Control Programme (SEK 6 000 000; approx. EUR 647 115),

| — | Funding to Saferworld for programmes in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region (SEK 3 200 000; approx. EUR 345 000), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Saferworld for programmes in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region (SEK 3 200 000; approx. EUR 345 000),

| — | Funding to UNDP/BCPR for support to ECOWAS Small Arms Control Programme (SEK 10 000 000; approx. EUR 1 078 000), |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to UNDP/BCPR for support to ECOWAS Small Arms Control Programme (SEK 10 000 000; approx. EUR 1 078 000),

| — | Funding to Unicef (approx. SEK 1 900 000; approx. EUR 204 960). |
| --- | --- |

—

Funding to Unicef (approx. SEK 1 900 000; approx. EUR 204 960).

UNITED KINGDOM

The UK combats the supply, availability and demand for small arms and light weapons through progressive policies and programmes. The FCO, DFID and MoD work together to implement UK policy, which is supplemented by the GBP 13 million SALW strategy (2004-2007) under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool. In the past year the UK has supported programmes by UN agencies and NGOs to collect, manage and destroy weapons and ammunition; implement existing regional agreements; devise and implement national action plans, and help build the capacity of local civil society. UK-based NGO Saferworld has been a key partner. The UK has also provided funds to Small Arms Survey to support policy-focused analysis on SALW control and armed violence reduction and has supported global campaigning and advocacy on small arms issues and the arms trade treaty, co-ordinated by IANSA and the Control Arms Campaign. The UK has contributed to the training of more than 2 000 law enforcement officials in the Latin American region through UNLiREC. The UK has also supported a progressive programme encompassing community-based initiatives, small arms control and SSR run by Viva Rio in Brazil. The UK continues to support the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, a sub-regional agreement in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa to combat SALW proliferation and abuse, through the Regional Centre on Small Arms. In the last year the UK has funded weapons and ammunition destruction and training in Southern Africa, Belarus, and Kosovo. Finally, the UK has entered into a new funding arrangement with the Parliamentary Forum to enhance parliamentary awareness and oversight of national small arms controls.

EUROPEAN UNION

In 2006, the EU Concept on DDR was adopted by the Council, following the adoption of a policy framework on Security Sector Reform (SSR), which combined the European Commission Communication on SSR and the ESDP SSR Concept. Both documents incorporate policies aimed at tackling small arms issues. SALW, DDR and SSR have been identified as priority areas in post-conflict situations.

Africa continued to be the continent which has attracted the greatest attention and funding from the EU. The EU has contributed EUR 17 million, consisting of: EUR 2 million to ECOWAS (EUR 0,515 million CFSP and EUR 1,5 million EDF) in support of the Convention on SALW and its implementation through National Commissions; EUR 8 million (EDF) in Congo Brazzaville for DDR programmes; and EUR 7 million which were provided to UNICEF and ICRC for various measures ranging from DDR for children to the protection of victims of armed conflicts (EIDHR).

Africa

South and East Europe: EUR 5,7 million (Pilot Projects and TAIEX), for region-wide projects and specific support to Croatia, devoted to building the administrative, judicial and law enforcement capacity of national authorities for internal stockpile management of SALW and ammunition and for export controls, including civil society awareness and education.

South and East Europe

Ukraine: EUR 1,2 million (EUR 1 million CFSP, EUR 0,2 million TACIS) was committed both to destruction of surplus SALW through a NATO/NAMSA project and to train, and provide capacity for, secure and safe handling of the ammunition depot in Novoboghdanivka, in co-ordination with the OSCE.

Ukraine

Latin America: EUR 700 000 (CFSP) was provided to UNLiREC as the final phase of a programme which began in 2001 and was intended to combat the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, by training the trainers.

Latin America

Asia: In Afghanistan EUR 26,2 million (ALA) was committed to an ‘Ammunition Project’. The 5-year EU-ASAC project (CFSP) in Cambodia was successfully completed.

Asia

The major instruments for EC assistance in the period 2007-2013 were programmed during 2006. The European Commission has been pursuing the integration of issues relating to SALW into Country and Regional Strategy Papers. The joint preparation of National and Regional Action Plans offers partner countries the opportunity to give the appropriate political and funding priority to tackling these issues.

III.   PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS

AUSTRIA

During Austria’s Presidency in the first half of 2006, the EU reinforced its leading role in the UN SALW process by taking a proactive stance at the Preparatory Meeting in January and the Review Conference of the 2001 Programme of Action in June.

The EU succeeded in making its priorities — improved controls over transfer of SALW, initiation of a UN process on ammunition, implementation of the Instrument on Marking and Tracing, stepping up of UN action against illicit brokering, mainstreaming small arms issues into development and poverty reduction strategies and the continuation of a global follow-up in the UN framework — the topics of the conference.

In the run-up to the Review Conference Austria carried out EU demarches in 42 States and asked for support for EU positions at a number of bilateral meetings.

BULGARIA

In 2006 Bulgaria co-sponsored the UNGA resolution 61/89 ‘Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms’, sharing the view that it is in the common interest of the international community to put in place an effective Arms Control Treaty that would establish legally binding principles of trade in conventional weapons.

In accordance with the OSCE Document on SALW, on 28 June 2006 Bulgaria submitted its annual information on SALW exports and imports for the year 2005.

In 2006 Bulgaria assumed the Chairmanship’s responsibilities of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) of the OSCE. The Bulgarian Chairmanship of the FSC organised a Special Meeting on SALW (Vienna, 17 May 2006). The meeting paved the way for the preparation of the OSCE/FSC contribution to the UN Review Conference on the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (New York, 26 June-7 July 2006). Furthermore, the Chairman of the FSC delivered a report to the UN Review Conference on the implementation of the OSCE Document on SALW and related project activities in different OSCE participating States.

In 2006 Bulgaria participated in a number of international conferences, courses, seminars and meetings relating to SALW problems, organised by the UN, OSCE, EU, NATO and other international and regional organisations.

Among them the key event in 2006 was the First Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on SALW (New York, 25 June-7 July 2006).

Bulgaria participated, as well, in the First Session of the UN Group of Governmental Experts to consider further steps to enhance international cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering in SALW (Geneva, 27 November-1 December 2006).

With regard to the area of export control on SALW (incl. MANPADS), the Republic of Bulgaria respects fully all its international engagements/obligations deriving from its participation in and/or membership of all international export control regimes and international Organisations, in particular UN and/or OSCE embargoes and/or WA commitments.

Bulgarian experts participated actively in the seminar organised by Israel on MANPADS -Effective International Measures to Reduce the Threat (Jerusalem, 5-6 April 2006) and the seminar organised by Oxfam, Saferworld and Amnesty International on SALW export controls (Brussels, 20 April 2006).

Experts from the Customs Agency attended the workshop on brokering activities, organised by RACVIAC, OSCE, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway (Zagreb, 29-30 March 2006).

In 2006 the Ministry of the Interior together with the US Trade Department contributed to the preparation of a Law Enforcement Training Course with a view to improving the implementation of the provisions of the existing legislation on export control of arms and dual-use goods and technologies.

CYPRUS

[no information provided]

[no information provided]

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic actively participates in the implementation of the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW. In 2006, the Czech Republic contributed CZK 1 000 000 (USD 47 308,17 = EUR 34 910) to the activities of the Trust Fund for the Consolidation of Peace through Practical Disarmament Measures. This sum will be used to support the second phase of the CASA database, the implementation of which runs from November 2006 to November 2007. One of the main goals of the CASA database is to monitor the implementation of the UN Programme of Action by individual UN Member States.

Inter-agency coordination in 2006 concentrated namely on the preparation of the 2006 Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW and on the implementation of the multilateral instrument on marking and tracing. Due consideration was also given to the debate in other relevant multilateral fora (UNGA First Committee, OSCE, Wassenaar Arrangement).

The Czech Republic cooperated inter alia with the national Interpol offices in Lima and Wiesbaden on147 cases involving 1 791 arms.

inter alia

DENMARK

In 2006, Denmark continued its participation in the SALW activities of the UN, including the Open-Ended Working Group on Marking and Tracing Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, the UN SALW Programme of Action Review Conference, and in relevant debates of the Security Council as a member thereof. Denmark also continued its participation in the activities of the Wassenaar Arrangement and OSCE, including seminars and workshops and other initiatives related to SALW. Denmark also participates in Nordic and Baltic co-operation in the area of arms control and arms trafficking. Denmark is implementing the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Wassenaar Arrangement Best Practice Guidelines for Exports of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

ESTONIA

In April 2006 Estonia arranged an arms control inspection to Turkmenistan in the framework of the OSCE Vienna document. Inspectors controlled whether data about existing arms, which was provided by the inspected country, was correct. The inspection report was transmitted to all OSCE participating States.

Estonia is a participating country in the Wassenaar Arrangement.

Representatives of Estonia actively participated in a number of international conferences, courses and seminars devoted to SALW problems, organised by the UN, OSCE, EU and other international organisations, as well as NGOs. The main event was the First Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on SALW.

The representatives of the Strategic Goods Commission also actively participated in the work of the European Union’s working groups for export controls on conventional arms (COARM) and dual-use goods (WPDUG). On Estonia’s initiative the best practices of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports were complemented with a new format for notifying the refusal to enter an arms broker into the registry.

Estonia submits annually reports to the UN Register on Conventional Arms.

FINLAND

Finland participates actively in the work of international organisations and regional arrangements on SALW-related issues. Finland participates in the meetings and drafting of reports of the UN, OSCE, NATO/EAPC and Wassenaar Arrangement. Finland was also part of the group of government experts (GGE) on brokering.

Participation in the work of international and regional organisations

Participation in the work of international and regional organisations

| — | Secondment of an FSC Support Officer to the Conflict Prevention Centre in the OSCE in charge of small arms issues; |
| --- | --- |

—

Secondment of an FSC Support Officer to the Conflict Prevention Centre in the OSCE in charge of small arms issues;

| — | Financial contribution to Saferworld's Biting the Bullet seminar in May 2006 in Helsinki, as part of activities in support of the preparations for the UN Review Conference on SALW (total EUR 60 000); |
| --- | --- |

—

Financial contribution to Saferworld's Biting the Bullet seminar in May 2006 in Helsinki, as part of activities in support of the preparations for the UN Review Conference on SALW (total EUR 60 000);

| — | Financial support for a regional Small Arms Control Project in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua implemented by IEPADES — Instituto de Enseñanza para el Desarrollo Sostenible. The project is aimed at reducing illicit Small Arms trade at border zones of the countries mentioned above (total approx. EUR 30 000). |
| --- | --- |

—

Financial support for a regional Small Arms Control Project in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua implemented by IEPADES — Instituto de Enseñanza para el Desarrollo Sostenible. The project is aimed at reducing illicit Small Arms trade at border zones of the countries mentioned above (total approx. EUR 30 000).

| — | Financial contribution to Small Arms Survey for the 2006 edition of the Small Arms Survey Yearbook (total EUR 20 000); |
| --- | --- |

—

Financial contribution to Small Arms Survey for the 2006 edition of the Small Arms Survey Yearbook (total EUR 20 000);

| — | Financial contribution to UNIDIR's (United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research) SALW Assistance research (total EUR 20 000); |
| --- | --- |

—

Financial contribution to UNIDIR's (United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research) SALW Assistance research (total EUR 20 000);

| — | Financial contribution to IANSA (International Action Network on Small Arms) in support of the Arms Trade Treaty — related activities, (total EUR 15 000). |
| --- | --- |

—

Financial contribution to IANSA (International Action Network on Small Arms) in support of the Arms Trade Treaty — related activities, (total EUR 15 000).

FRANCE

Since 2006 France has participated actively in the discussions of the group of governmental experts on brokering set up by resolution 60/81 on ‘illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’.

For the second successive year, France, together with Germany, tabled a draft resolution on the problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus, in the First Committee at the 61st UN General Assembly. This resolution was adopted.

In 2006 France launched an international initiative to combat the illicit trafficking of SALW by air. It involved the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union, the G8 and the Wassenaar Arrangement. The aim of this initiative is to improve cooperation between States in controlling private airlines suspected of being involved in arms trafficking in breach of the United Nations embargoes whilst conducting a dialogue with the air transport industry on ways and means of enhancing the traceability, transparency and security of this way of transporting SALW and their ammunition. This initiative forms part of the extended implementation of the action plan for combating illicit trade in SALW and their ammunition, adopted by the EU in 2005. The G8 summit in St Petersburg (2006) pledged its support for this initiative. The OSCE also gave the initiative its support at the ministerial summit in Brussels (December).

GERMANY

Germany participates actively in the work of international and regional organisations as well as arrangements with regard to small arms and light weapons including their ammunition. These organisations and arrangements include in particular the UN, OSCE, NATO and the Wassenaar Arrangement. Germany regularly seconds experts to assessment and evaluation visits as well as workshops and seminars organised within the frame of these organisations. In 2006 such initiatives covered in particular Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Ukraine.

Together with France, Germany tabled UNGA Res 61/72 entitled ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus’. The purpose is to give more prominence to the issue of ammunition and related stockpiles on the international agenda. The absence of safe, efficient and effective management and security of stockpiles is a major source for illicit trafficking. The resolution contains the decision to convene a UN Group of Governmental Experts on the issue of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus in 2008.

In the frame of the OSCE, Germany continued to contribute in particular to the development of OSCE Best Practice Guides in the area of SALW and ammunition. First drafts of Best Practice Guides on ammunition transportation as well as on marking, recordkeeping and tracing of ammunition were tabled in 2006.

Germany continued to support efforts to develop standardised formats for technical cooperation and training on stockpile management within NATO. In February 2006 Germany organised a workshop in Geilenkirchen to further develop procedures for the multilateral conduct of such initiatives. Together with Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, Germany developed a multinational SALW training course, which was conducted for the first time in Switzerland in the autumn of 2006 with participants from more than 20 countries, and will be transferred to the NATO School in Oberammergau as of 2007.

GREECE

Officers of the Greek Ministry of Public Order participate in meetings and seminars on Small Arms and Light Weapons issues. An officer also participates in the meetings of the Working Group of the EU Council's Technical Harmonisation Committee, in connection with the amendment of Directive 91/477/EEC on the control of acquisition and possession of weapons and its adjustment to the provisions of Article 10 of the UN Protocol.

HUNGARY

The Hungarian MFA organised together with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Non-proliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation, an export control seminar for South Eastern European countries in Szeged, Hungary in June 2003. The conference presented basic building blocks of an effective export control system and provided an opportunity to discuss regional approaches and concerns, the latter being mainly how to tackle SALW-related problems in the region.

In co-operation with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Non-proliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation, the Hungarian MFA organised the Fifth International Conference on Export Controls in Budapest, Hungary on 15 to 17 September 2003. (The conference was the fifth in a series of events known as the ‘Oxford Process’.) More than 180 export control officials from over 40 countries and representatives of the multilateral export control regimes, industry and the NGO community participated. One of the main topics of the conference was the discussion on new approaches to controlling conventional arms especially certain types of SALW such as MANPADS.

The most important recent event is also a result of international co-operation. Hungary finished the reduction/destruction of 1 540 pieces of Strela-2 type MANPADS in February 2006. The project was partly an American initiative and co-financed by the USA.

For the purpose of identifying groups and individuals engaged in illicit trade in SALW, the Hungarian Police co-operates with the INTERPOL and EUROPOL and is a member of the SECI Regional Center for Combating Trans-border Crime to design a system for South Eastern European countries to exchange information on illicit SALW trafficking.

IRELAND

Ireland attended and actively participated in the United Nations Review Conference on the Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which took place in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006.

At the 61st UN General Assembly, Ireland co-sponsored several resolutions on Small Arms and Light Weapons, including resolution 61/89 ‘Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms’. In addition, Ireland voted in favour of a number of other similar resolutions on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Ireland submitted annual reports to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and reports to the OSCE on military expenditure.

Ireland is a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment participated in all meetings of the Arrangement held in 2006.

ITALY

United Nations

United Nations

In 2006, Italy attended the Review Conference of the 2001 UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, held in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006. At the 61st UNGA Italy co-sponsored the following adopted resolutions, which are relevant to small arms and light weapons:

| — | res. 61/71: ‘Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons’; |
| --- | --- |

—

res. 61/71: ‘Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons’;

| — | res. 61/72: ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunitions in surplus’; |
| --- | --- |

—

res. 61/72: ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunitions in surplus’;

| — | res. 61/77: ‘Transparency in armaments’; |
| --- | --- |

—

res. 61/77: ‘Transparency in armaments’;

| — | res. 61/89 ‘Towards an arms trade treaty establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms’; |
| --- | --- |

—

res. 61/89 ‘Towards an arms trade treaty establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms’;

| — | res. 61/101: ‘Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region’; |
| --- | --- |

—

res. 61/101: ‘Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region’;

Italy also voted in favour of resolution No 61/66 (‘Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’).

OSCE

OSCE

In 2006, Italy continued to actively implement the OSCE document on small arms and light weapons, adopted in November 2000. In that framework, Italy presented national updates to the information exchange on major aspects of SALW (production, marking, export controls, brokering, destruction techniques) established by the above OSCE document.

LATVIA

[no information provided]

[no information provided]

LITHUANIA

Lithuania participated in the Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (26 June-7 July 2006) and supported agreed EU positions with particular emphasis on transfer controls and brokering.

UN General Assembly First Committee

UN General Assembly First Committee

Lithuania participated in the proceedings of the First Committee and voted in favour of the following SALW-related resolutions:

| — | Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (No 61/66). |
| --- | --- |

—

Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (No 61/66).

| — | Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels (No 61/82). |
| --- | --- |

—

Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels (No 61/82).

Lithuania has co-sponsored resolutions on:

| — | Assistance to states for curbing illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them (No 61/71). |
| --- | --- |

—

Assistance to states for curbing illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them (No 61/71).

| — | Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus (No 61/72). |
| --- | --- |

—

Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus (No 61/72).

| — | Transparency in Armaments (No 61/77). |
| --- | --- |

—

Transparency in Armaments (No 61/77).

| — | Towards an Arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms (No 61/89). |
| --- | --- |

—

Towards an Arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms (No 61/89).

Lithuania supports the legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to ensure comprehensive and effective regulation of international transfers of conventional arms. Lithuania will provide its response to the UN Secretary General’s request for views.

Brokering

Brokering

Lithuania nominated an expert to participate in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts to consider further steps to enhance international cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering in small arms and light weapons. The experts meet in three sessions each lasting one week and will submit the report on the outcome of their study to the General Assembly at its 62nd session.

Other forms of international cooperation

Other forms of international cooperation

Regular Nordic-Baltic meetings on export controls are carried out. The network of national experts who work with arms controls enables cooperation between countries to be maintained.

The Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau works in cooperation with other EU police institutions. Joint operations are carried out constantly, inter alia, to assist investigations and prosecutions in relation to the illicit trade in SALW.

inter alia

Lithuanian experts engage in cooperation with the representatives of NGOs (Saferworld, IANSA), which are active in different aspects of SALW issues, by means of information exchange through questionnaires, position papers, and attendance of workshops.

Bilateral agreements covering organised crime, drugs and terrorism have been signed with a number of countries (Germany, Latvia and Poland). They also partly tackle cooperation between countries of concern in relation to the illicit trade of SALW.

LUXEMBOURG

In 2006 Luxembourg took part in the work of the following international and regional organisations, in particular:

United Nations

United Nations

Luxembourg attended the United Nations Conference to review progress in implementing the Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, held in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006.

United Nations General Assembly

United Nations General Assembly

In the First Committee at the General Assembly's 61st session, Luxembourg co-sponsored or voted in favour of the various resolutions on SALWs and ammunition (61/89, 61/72, 61/71, 61/79 and 61/66).

OSCE

OSCE

The OSCE received EUR 16 500 for humanitarian mine clearance and destruction of dangerous surplus munitions stocks in Ukraine.

MALTA

[no information provided]

[no information provided]

NETHERLANDS

Together with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands organised a Ministerial side event during the UN Review Conference of the PoA on SALW.

The Netherlands signed the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development that during the Ministerial Summit in Geneva on 7 June 2006. The Netherlands is also a member of the Geneva Core Group to enhance the implementation of the Declaration, which has developed a concrete action plan.

Within the framework of the continuing ‘Dutch/Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Brokering’, the Netherlands contributed financially and technically to the UNDDA (now UN-ODA) for its broad based consultations on regulation of brokering activities and financed two workshops in New York and Geneva.

The Netherlands chaired the UN Governmental Group of Experts on illicit brokering in SALW which completed its work in June 2007.

The Netherlands is a member of the OECD/DAC-CPDC network taskgroup on Armed Violence and Poverty Reduction, to enhance further integration of SALW/armed violence policy and programming into development frameworks and SSR programmes. The Netherlands participated in various workshops and meetings on this issue.

A Dutch expert participated in the UN GGE regarding the UN register on Conventional Arms.

The Netherlands submitted in 2006 the UNGA resolution on Transparency in Armaments (61/77), which was adopted with no negative votes.

OSCE Best Practices Guide: The Netherlands drafted best practices on Ammunition destruction.

POLAND

Representatives of Poland actively participated in a number of international conferences, courses and seminars devoted to SALW problems, organised by the UN, OSCE, EU, NATO and other international organisations. Specifically, Polish representatives took part in the First Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on SALW and in the works of the Group of Governmental Experts on the Illicit Brokering of SALW. The Polish delegation was also active within the Wassenaar Arrangement, including a new working group for SALW and MANPADS transport and brokering established in 2006.

The Ministry of National Defence gave a lecture on international initiatives relating to SALW during the NATO course on Arms Control Implementation in Oberammergau. Representatives of the Ministry also participated in different workshops dealing with standards of storage and control of SALW and munitions warehouses.

In 2006 Poland contributed with a total of USD 276 333 to the NATO/PfP/NAMSA Trust Funds. This includes USD 60 000 for the first phase of the project (co-founded by the EU), aimed at eliminating 1,5 million SALW and 133 000 tons of munitions in Ukraine. (Another USD 60 000 was donated for the professional reconversion of former armed forces personnel in Ukraine, and USD 30 000 to Serbia and Montenegro for the same goal. Additionally, a sum of USD 66 333 was allocated for reintegration of former military personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina.)

PORTUGAL

Portugal actively participated in the work of international organisations and regional arrangements on SALW-related issues.

At the UN level, Portugal participated in the Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW, held in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006.

At the 61st UNGA Portugal co-sponsored the following adopted resolutions, which are relevant to small arms and light weapons:

| 1. | res. 61/77: ‘Transparency in armaments’; |
| --- | --- |

1.

res. 61/77: ‘Transparency in armaments’;

| 2. | res. 61/79: ‘Information on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms’; |
| --- | --- |

2.

res. 61/79: ‘Information on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms’;

| 3. | res. 61/89: ‘Towards an arms trade treaty establishing common international standards for the import, export, and transfer of conventional arms’; |
| --- | --- |

3.

res. 61/89: ‘Towards an arms trade treaty establishing common international standards for the import, export, and transfer of conventional arms’;

| 4. | res. 61/101: ‘Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region’. |
| --- | --- |

4.

res. 61/101: ‘Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region’.

Portugal also voted in favour of resolutions 61/66 (‘Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’) and 61/72 (‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunitions in surplus’).

In 2006, Portugal continued to actively implement the OSCE document, adopted in November 2000, on small arms and light weapons. In that framework, Portugal presented national updates on aspects of SALW such as production, marking, export controls, brokering and destruction techniques.

In the field of export controls, Portugal is a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement and participated, through the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in various meetings held by the group last year.

SLOVAKIA

In the field of small arms and light weapons, Slovakia participates in the framework of different international fora, such as the EU, UN, OSCE, NATO and Wassenaar Arrangement. It actively participated in a number of international conferences, courses and seminars devoted to SALW problems, held by organisations mentioned above and other international organisations; especially the First Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on SALW.

SLOVENIA

In the field of small arms and light weapons, Slovenia participates in the framework of different international fora, such as the EU, UN, OSCE, NATO and Wassenaar Arrangement. Apart from the activities in the OSCE framework, where Slovenia, in 2006, continued its active role as the outgoing OSCE Troika member, the focus was on the First Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action.

SPAIN

United Nations (UN)

United Nations (UN)

In 2006, Spain continued its participation in the SALW activities of the UN. As was proposed in different fora, Spain incorporated Members of Parliament and civil society representatives into the national delegation participating in the UN PoA SALW related meetings that took place in New York.

UNGA

UNGA

In the framework of the 61st UNGA First Commission; Spain co-sponsored the following conventional arms, SALW and ammunitions related Resolutions:

| — | A/Res/61/66: ‘The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’, |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/66: ‘The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’,

| — | A/Res/61/71: ‘Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them’, |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/71: ‘Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them’,

| — | A/Res/61/72: ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus’, |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/72: ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus’,

| — | A/Res/61/76: ‘Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures’, |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/76: ‘Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures’,

| — | A/Res/61/79: ‘Information on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms’, |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/79: ‘Information on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms’,

| — | A/Res/61/82: ‘Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional levels’, |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/82: ‘Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional levels’,

| — | A/Res/61/89: ‘Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms’. |
| --- | --- |

—

A/Res/61/89: ‘Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms’.

OSCE

OSCE

The Government of Spain approved on 15 September 2006 extra-budgetary contributions of a politico-military nature to the OSCE, including the following projects: 1. Tajikistan. SALW and CA Programme. Phase II: EUR 100 000; 2. Tajikistan. SALW and CA stockpile and physical security: EUR 50 000.

Additionally, Spain continued its participation in an OSCE project in Belarus related to stockpile management, destruction of surplus, storage security conditions, ammunitions depots, etc. of SALW and related ammunitions. This participation included an extra-budgetary contribution of EUR 100 000 delivered in July 2006.

Participation in or organisation of international seminars and conferences

Participation in or organisation of international seminars and conferences

Spain supported and hosted the Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC) for the Review Conference of the UN PoA to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects that took place in the Training Centre of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI) in Antigua, Guatemala on 2-4 May 2006.

The GRULAC conference was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala with the technical and financial assistance of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-LiREC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain.

The Conference brought together delegations from most of the GRULAC countries (28 countries from a total of 33 were present). Representatives from some partners (Finland, Germany, UK and Spain), Switzerland, US, international and sub-regional organisations (OAS, UNDP, DDA) and civil society (IANSA, Parliamentary Forum on SALW, CLAVE, IEPADES) were able to participate during the open sessions of the conference; Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasan, Chairperson elect for the UN 2006 SALW Review Conference had the opportunity to intervene in the open ceremony of the conference.

The key aim of the conference was to seek a common regional approach in order to contribute a regional perspective to the work of the Review Conference of the UN PoA on SALW held in New York, from 26 June to 7 July 2006. The GRULAC was able to agree on a reasonably ambitious document of consensus baptised as the ‘Antigua Guatemala Declaration’.

Others

Others

From 9 to 10 November 2006 Spain attended and supported the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Representatives of the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons that took place in Montevideo (Uruguay) (EUR 30 000).

Up to twenty national Parliaments from European, Latin American and African countries from the European Parliament, together with governmental representatives from Colombia, Spain, Sweden, Finland, France, Germany and Norway, and intergovernmental organisations and institutions, the Inter-American Commission against the Abuse of Drugs (ICAD), UNDP and UN-LiREC, and several NGOs (SweFOR, IANSA, etc.).

As a State party to the 1969 Convention regarding the establishment of uniform regulations for the reciprocal recognition of official proof marks on fire-arms, a Spanish delegation participated during its XVIII Plenary Session in Vienna where some Technical Decisions were taken regarding the marking of firearms.

SWEDEN

In the field of SALW, Sweden actively participated in the work of the UN, the OSCE, the NATO/PFF and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

Sweden actively participated in the Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation Project, which aims to combat transborder criminal activities, such as illicit trade and illicit brokering of inter alia SALW, in the Baltic Sea.

In May 2007, Sweden reported in the 8th optional reporting category ‘Information on international transfers of small arms and light weapons’, in the UN Register on Conventional Arms, on exports of SALW from Sweden in 2006.

UNITED KINGDOM

The UK continued its programme of workshops by supporting regional workshops in e.g. East Africa (Kenya). During these workshops the UK encouraged both the regional groups and individual countries to support common criteria and guidelines for SALW transfers in their national reports, national statements and interventions during the lead-up to the RevCon Conference in June 2006.

The UK has also jointly chaired the ongoing OECD DAC process to develop guidance on armed violence reduction for development practitioners. A series of regional workshops will take place in 2007, with the first planned for Guatemala in April.

EUROPEAN UNION

During the Review Conference of the 2001 UN PoA, the European Union presented on 30 June 2006 a comprehensive overview of its activities to support the fight against illicit small arms and light weapons. Representatives from the then Presidency, the Office of the Personal Representative of the High Representative on non-proliferation and the Commission presented the overall SALW policy based on the new EU Strategy on SALW and ammunition and explained how this is being translated into concrete activities through various instruments. The audience comprised governments, international organisations and SALW experts. Members of the European Parliament also participated as part of the Presidency delegation.

Despite the lack of results at the Review Conference of the UN PoA, the EU reaffirmed in its closing statement that it would remain at the forefront of efforts and continue to do practical work to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. It also underlined its engagement in the implementation of the UN PoA at EU level. EU funding (through Member States, the EDF, Community funding and CFSP budget resources) remains one of the main sources of financial assistance to implement the UN PoA.

The Austrian Presidency, the Office of the Personal Representative of the High Representative on non-proliferation and the Commission jointly presented the EU SALW Strategy as well as other activities of the European Union with regard to small arms and light weapons and explosive remnants of war at the 479th OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) in Vienna on 29 March 2006. The Commission and the OSCE agreed and carried out a joint assessment mission to the Novobohdanivka ammunition depots (Ukraine). As a result of this mission, Ukraine's Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Emergencies welcomed the Commission’s encouragement to work on a comprehensive Ukraine Action Plan tackling the problems of surplus weapons and ammunition in a transparent and comprehensive manner. They also clearly saw the need to reflect this political priority in the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. The Commission and OSCE accordingly formulated a common assessment of the problems and the response needed in the case of the Novobohdanivka ammunition depot. The EC then launched a project, including a package of measures, in response to the needs identified. On 28 September 2006, Col. Claes Nilsson, OSCE/FSC Coordinator for SALW, and Col. Anders Gardberg, Senior Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Finland to the OSCE, gave presentations on OSCE activities on SALW and stockpiles of Conventional Ammunitions as well as on the possible role of the EU in the OSCE SALW Working Group on Global Disarmament and Arms Control.

The Commission has been actively engaged with EU Member States, relevant authorities in third countries, international organisations, academia, NGOs and civil society and in dealing with the consequences and origin of illicit arms trafficking. Such trafficking can be linked to the illicit trade in other commodities such as minerals, oil, timber and diamonds. During its 2007 Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process, the Commission intends to work towards improved implementation of controls which can prevent or deter the use of diamonds to fund arms purchases by rebel groups.

The European Commission participated in the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 23 February 2006 in Brussels and on 20 to 23 November 2006 in Barbados in support of the Joint EU-ACP Resolution on SALW. On those occasions it presented the EU SALW Strategy as well as the rationale for assistance programmes in developing countries.

From 2005 to June 2006, the European Commission was supporting a wide-ranging research effort on ‘Strengthening European Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Explosive Remnants of War’. This study, carried out by UNIDIR, includes the widest assessment exercise conducted within the EU, covering SALW and ERW-related activities funded under different institutional architectures, and makes recommendations for future EU action.

On 4 and 5 September 2006, the European Commission participated in the ‘First International Meeting on Illicit Arms Dealing in the Great Lakes Region of Africa’ (GLR) which took place in Nairobi, and which addressed the ‘Project on illicit arms dealing in the GLR’ initiated by Interpol.

On 1 November 2006, the first EU-Western Balkans Interparliamentary Forum on SALW was held in Belgrade as part of the EC Pilot Project on SALW 2005 (EU-Western Balkans Support Plan).

Initiatives on illicit trafficking by air have been specifically supported by the European Union in the G8, Wassenaar Arrangement and in the OSCE. On 13 September 2006, the European Commission organised an informal seminar on the challenges posed by the illicit transport of SALW by air. The seminar, mainly intended for the Commission’s services, was open to EU Member States, the European Parliament and the Council Secretariat. Two NGOs (TransArms and Amnesty International) presented their findings to the audience. The European Commission has supported a data base to gather information on these issues in South-East Europe.

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(1)  English version and related laws and regulations are available on the Internet: www.mgip.gov.pl/GOSPODARKA/DKE/English/Laws/ExportControl/.

1

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ANNEX

AUSTRIA

| Alexander Benedict |
| --- |
| Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs |
| Department II.8 — Global Disarmament, Arms Control, Export |
| Control, Multilateral Atomic Energy Issues and IAEA |
| Minoritenplatz 8 |
| A-1014 Vienna |
| Tel.: (43-50) 11 50 33 54 |
| Fax: (43-50) 11 59 53 54 |
| E-mail: alexander.benedict@bmeia.gv.at |
| www.bmeia.gv.at |

Alexander Benedict

Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Department II.8 — Global Disarmament, Arms Control, Export

Control, Multilateral Atomic Energy Issues and IAEA

Minoritenplatz 8

A-1014 Vienna

Tel.: (43-50) 11 50 33 54

Fax: (43-50) 11 59 53 54

E-mail: alexander.benedict@bmeia.gv.at

www.bmeia.gv.at

BELGIUM

| Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| International Security Division |
| Non-proliferation, Disarmament and Arms Control Directorate |
| Rue des Petits Carmes 15 |
| B-1000 Brussels |
| Tel.: (32-2) 501 37 10 |
| Fax: (32-2) 501 38 22 |
| E-mail: werner.bauwens@diplobel.fed.be |

Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs

International Security Division

Non-proliferation, Disarmament and Arms Control Directorate

Rue des Petits Carmes 15

B-1000 Brussels

Tel.: (32-2) 501 37 10

Fax: (32-2) 501 38 22

E-mail: werner.bauwens@diplobel.fed.be

BULGARIA

| Dr Petio Petev |
| --- |
| Director |
| NATO and International Security Directorate |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria |
| Alexander Zhendov Street 2 |
| BG-1040 Sofia |
| Tel.: (359-2) 948 22 44 |
| Fax: (359-2) 873 42 62 |
| E-mail: int.security@mfa.government.bg |

Dr Petio Petev

Director

NATO and International Security Directorate

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria

Alexander Zhendov Street 2

BG-1040 Sofia

Tel.: (359-2) 948 22 44

Fax: (359-2) 873 42 62

E-mail: int.security@mfa.government.bg

CYPRUS

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Department for Multilateral Relations |
| Leoforos Proedrikou |
| CY-1447 Nicosia |
| Tel.: (357) 22 401152 |
| Fax: (357) 22 661881, (357) 22 665313, (357) 22 665778 |
| E-mail: ppapadopoulos@mfa.gov.cy |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department for Multilateral Relations

Leoforos Proedrikou

CY-1447 Nicosia

Tel.: (357) 22 401152

Fax: (357) 22 661881, (357) 22 665313, (357) 22 665778

E-mail: ppapadopoulos@mfa.gov.cy

CZECH REPUBLIC

| UN Department |
| --- |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Loretánské námìstí 5 |
| CZ-118 00 Praha 1 |
| Tel.: (420-2) 241 82 324 |
| Fax: (420-2) 241 82 026 |
| E-mail: osn_sekretariat@mzv.cz |

UN Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Loretánské námìstí 5

CZ-118 00 Praha 1

Tel.: (420-2) 241 82 324

Fax: (420-2) 241 82 026

E-mail: osn_sekretariat@mzv.cz

DENMARK

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark |
| --- |
| Security Policy Department |
| Asiatisk Plads 2 |
| DK-1448 Copenhagen K |
| Tel.: (45-33) 92 06 93 |
| Fax: (45-33) 92 18 04 |
| E-mail: sp@um.dk |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Security Policy Department

Asiatisk Plads 2

DK-1448 Copenhagen K

Tel.: (45-33) 92 06 93

Fax: (45-33) 92 18 04

E-mail: sp@um.dk

ESTONIA

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| First Political Department |
| Tel.: (372-6) 37 71 00 |
| Fax: (372-6) 37 71 99 |
| E-mail: armscontrol@mfa.ee, stratkom@mfa.ee |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

First Political Department

Tel.: (372-6) 37 71 00

Fax: (372-6) 37 71 99

E-mail: armscontrol@mfa.ee, stratkom@mfa.ee

FINLAND

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Political Department |
| Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation |
| P.O. Box 176 |
| FIN-00161 Helsinki |
| Tel.: (358-9) 16 05 51 10 |
| Fax: (358-9) 16 05 60 66 |
| E-mail: POL-05@formin.fi |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Political Department

Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation

P.O. Box 176

FIN-00161 Helsinki

Tel.: (358-9) 16 05 51 10

Fax: (358-9) 16 05 60 66

E-mail: POL-05@formin.fi

FRANCE

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Directorate of Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament |
| Division of Chemical and Biological Disarmament and Conventional Weapons Control |
| Tel.: (33-1) 43 17 40 70 |
| Fax: (33-1) 43 17 49 52 |
| E-mail: Jean-Francois.Guillaume@diplomatie.gouv.fr |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Directorate of Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament

Division of Chemical and Biological Disarmament and Conventional Weapons Control

Tel.: (33-1) 43 17 40 70

Fax: (33-1) 43 17 49 52

E-mail: Jean-Francois.Guillaume@diplomatie.gouv.fr

GERMANY

| Federal Foreign Office |
| --- |
| Division 241 |
| Conventional Arms Control |
| Werderscher Markt 1 |
| D-10117 Berlin |
| Tel.: (49-30) 50 00 42 72 |
| Fax: (49-30) 50 00 542 72 |
| E-mail: 241-0@diplo.de |

Federal Foreign Office

Division 241

Conventional Arms Control

Werderscher Markt 1

D-10117 Berlin

Tel.: (49-30) 50 00 42 72

Fax: (49-30) 50 00 542 72

E-mail: 241-0@diplo.de

GREECE

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Directorate of United Nations and International Organisations |
| Section of Non-proliferation, Disarmament and Arms Control |
| GR-Athens |
| Tel.: (30-210) 368 25 40 |
| Fax: (30-210) 368 22 39 |
| E-mail: d01@mfa.gr |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Directorate of United Nations and International Organisations

Section of Non-proliferation, Disarmament and Arms Control

GR-Athens

Tel.: (30-210) 368 25 40

Fax: (30-210) 368 22 39

E-mail: d01@mfa.gr

HUNGARY

| Security Policy and Non-proliferation Department |
| --- |
| Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Section |
| MFA Hungary |
| Tel.: (36-1) 458 11 05 |
| Fax: (36-1) 375 09 22 |
| E-mail: bpnf@kum.hu |

Security Policy and Non-proliferation Department

Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Section

MFA Hungary

Tel.: (36-1) 458 11 05

Fax: (36-1) 375 09 22

E-mail: bpnf@kum.hu

Contact persons:

Mr Zoltán PAPP (zpapp@kum.hu)

Mr Balázs GÉCZY (bgeczy@kum.hu)

Mr Szabolcs OSVÁT (szosvat@kum.hu)

IRELAND

| National Point of Contact |
| --- |
| Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section |
| Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 79 St Stephens Green |
| Dublin 2 |
| Tel.: (353-1) 408 20 76 |
| Fax: (353-1) 408 23 83 |

National Point of Contact

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section

Department of Foreign Affairs

79 St Stephens Green

Dublin 2

Tel.: (353-1) 408 20 76

Fax: (353-1) 408 23 83

ITALY

| Counsellor Emanuele Farruggia |
| --- |
| Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Division |
| General Department for Multilateral Political Affairs and Human Rights |
| Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Piazzale della Farnesina 1 |
| I-00194 — Rome |
| Tel.: (39-06) 36 91 40 00 |
| Fax: (39-06) 323 59 27 |
| E-mail: emanuele.farruggia @esteri.it |

Counsellor Emanuele Farruggia

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Division

General Department for Multilateral Political Affairs and Human Rights

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Piazzale della Farnesina 1

I-00194 — Rome

Tel.: (39-06) 36 91 40 00

Fax: (39-06) 323 59 27

E-mail: emanuele.farruggia @esteri.it

LATVIA

| Non-proliferation and Arms Control Division |
| --- |
| Security Policy Department |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia |
| Brivibas blvd. 36 |
| LV-1395 Riga |
| Tel.: (371-7) 01 64 56, (371-7) 01 61 56 |
| Fax: (371-7) 22 72 26 |

Non-proliferation and Arms Control Division

Security Policy Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Brivibas blvd. 36

LV-1395 Riga

Tel.: (371-7) 01 64 56, (371-7) 01 61 56

Fax: (371-7) 22 72 26

LITHUANIA

| Arms Control, Non-proliferation and Disarmament Division |
| --- |
| Security Policy Department |
| J. Tumo-Vaižganto 2 |
| LT-01511 Vilnius |
| Tel.: (370-5) 236 25 79 |
| Fax: (370-5) 236 25 19 |
| E-mail: dovydas.spokauskas@urm.lt |

Arms Control, Non-proliferation and Disarmament Division

Security Policy Department

J. Tumo-Vaižganto 2

LT-01511 Vilnius

Tel.: (370-5) 236 25 79

Fax: (370-5) 236 25 19

E-mail: dovydas.spokauskas@urm.lt

LUXEMBOURG

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Ms Tessy Seidenthal |
| 5 rue Notre-Dame |
| L-2240 Luxembourg |
| Tel.: (352) 478 24 69 |
| Fax: (352) 22 19 89 |
| E-mail: tessy.seidenthal@mae.etat.lu |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ms Tessy Seidenthal

5 rue Notre-Dame

L-2240 Luxembourg

Tel.: (352) 478 24 69

Fax: (352) 22 19 89

E-mail: tessy.seidenthal@mae.etat.lu

MALTA

| Mr Andrew Seychell |
| --- |
| Assistant Commissioner of Police |
| Police Force General Headquarters |
| Floriana |
| Malta |
| Tel.: (356-21) 247 800 |
| Fax: (356-21) 247 922 |
| E-mail: andrew.seychell@gov.mt |

Mr Andrew Seychell

Assistant Commissioner of Police

Police Force General Headquarters

Floriana

Malta

Tel.: (356-21) 247 800

Fax: (356-21) 247 922

E-mail: andrew.seychell@gov.mt

NETHERLANDS

| Desk Officer for Small Arms and Light Weapons |
| --- |
| Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Arms Export Policy Division and Arms Control (DVB/WW) |
| P.O. Box 20061 |
| 2500 EB The Hague, Netherlands |
| Tel.: (31-70) 348 55 62 |
| Fax: (31-70) 348 54 79 |

Desk Officer for Small Arms and Light Weapons

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Arms Export Policy Division and Arms Control (DVB/WW)

P.O. Box 20061

2500 EB The Hague, Netherlands

Tel.: (31-70) 348 55 62

Fax: (31-70) 348 54 79

POLAND

| Department of Security Policy |
| --- |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Al. J. Ch. Szucha 23 |
| PL-00-580 Warsaw |
| Tel.: (48-22) 523 92 06 |
| Fax: (48-22) 523 93 03 |
| E-mail: anna.tyszkiewicz@msz.gov.pl, dpb@msz.gov.pl |

Department of Security Policy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Al. J. Ch. Szucha 23

PL-00-580 Warsaw

Tel.: (48-22) 523 92 06

Fax: (48-22) 523 93 03

E-mail: anna.tyszkiewicz@msz.gov.pl, dpb@msz.gov.pl

| Division of International Operational Police Cooperation |
| --- |
| Criminal Intelligence Bureau |
| National Police Headquaters, ul. Puławska 148/150 |
| PL-02-514 Warsaw |
| Tel.: (48-22) 601 23 59 |
| Fax: (48-22) 601 26 74 |
| E-mail: ncbwarsaw@kgp.gov.pl |

Division of International Operational Police Cooperation

Criminal Intelligence Bureau

National Police Headquaters, ul. Puławska 148/150

PL-02-514 Warsaw

Tel.: (48-22) 601 23 59

Fax: (48-22) 601 26 74

E-mail: ncbwarsaw@kgp.gov.pl

PORTUGAL

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Disarmament and Non- proliferation Unit |
| Largo do Rilvas |
| P-1399-030 Lisboa |
| Tel.: (351-21) 394 62 95 |
| Fax: (351-21) 394 60 37 |
| E-mail: dsd2@sg.mne.gov.pt |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Disarmament and Non- proliferation Unit

Largo do Rilvas

P-1399-030 Lisboa

Tel.: (351-21) 394 62 95

Fax: (351-21) 394 60 37

E-mail: dsd2@sg.mne.gov.pt

ROMANIA

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control Division |
| Tel.: (40-21) 319 68 57 |
| Fax: (40-21) 319 23 63 |
| E-mail: oncat@mae.ro |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control Division

Tel.: (40-21) 319 68 57

Fax: (40-21) 319 23 63

E-mail: oncat@mae.ro

Additional point of contact:

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| National Agency for Exports Control |
| Conventional Arms Division |
| Tel.: (40-21) 311 11 93 |
| Fax: (40-21) 311 12 97 |
| E-mail: ancex@ancex.ro |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

National Agency for Exports Control

Conventional Arms Division

Tel.: (40-21) 311 11 93

Fax: (40-21) 311 12 97

E-mail: ancex@ancex.ro

SLOVAKIA

| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| --- |
| Department of OSCE and Disarmament |
| Hlboka cesta 2 |
| SK-833 36 Bratislava |
| Tel.: (421-2) 59 78 31 41 |
| Fax: (421-2) 59 78 31 49 |
| E-mail: obod@foreign.gov.sk |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department of OSCE and Disarmament

Hlboka cesta 2

SK-833 36 Bratislava

Tel.: (421-2) 59 78 31 41

Fax: (421-2) 59 78 31 49

E-mail: obod@foreign.gov.sk

SLOVENIA

| Ms Irina Gorsic |
| --- |
| Arms Control and Non-proliferation Unit |
| Security Policy Division |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Prešernova ulica 25 |
| SLO-1000 Ljubljana |
| Tel.: (386-1) 478 12 50 |
| Fax: (386-1) 478 22 29 |

Ms Irina Gorsic

Arms Control and Non-proliferation Unit

Security Policy Division

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Prešernova ulica 25

SLO-1000 Ljubljana

Tel.: (386-1) 478 12 50

Fax: (386-1) 478 22 29

SPAIN

| Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación (MAEC) |
| --- |
| Dirección General de Asuntos Internacionales de Terrorismo |
| No Proliferación y Desarme |
| Subdirección General de No Proliferación y Desarme |
| Luis Gómez Nogueira |
| Jefe de Área de Desarme |
| Calle Serrano Galvache, 26 |
| E-28071 Madrid |
| Tel.: (34-91) 379 17 59 |
| Fax: (34-91) 394 86 78 |
| E-mail: luis.gomez@mae.es |

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación (MAEC)

Dirección General de Asuntos Internacionales de Terrorismo

No Proliferación y Desarme

Subdirección General de No Proliferación y Desarme

Luis Gómez Nogueira

Jefe de Área de Desarme

Calle Serrano Galvache, 26

E-28071 Madrid

Tel.: (34-91) 379 17 59

Fax: (34-91) 394 86 78

E-mail: luis.gomez@mae.es

SWEDEN

| Department for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation |
| --- |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| S-103 39 Stockholm |
| Tel.: (46-8) 405 10 00 |
| Fax: (46-8) 723 11 76 |
| E-mail: UD-NIS@foreign.ministry.se |

Department for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

S-103 39 Stockholm

Tel.: (46-8) 405 10 00

Fax: (46-8) 723 11 76

E-mail: UD-NIS@foreign.ministry.se

UNITED KINGDOM

| Philip Tissot |
| --- |
| Deputy Head of Security Policy Group |
| Foreign and Commonwealth Office |
| King Charles Street |
| London SW1A 2AH |
| United Kingdom |
| Tel.: (44-20) 70 08 39 28 |
| Fax: (44-20) 70 08 26 35 |
| E-mail: Philip.Tissot@fco.gov.uk |

Philip Tissot

Deputy Head of Security Policy Group

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London SW1A 2AH

United Kingdom

Tel.: (44-20) 70 08 39 28

Fax: (44-20) 70 08 26 35

E-mail: Philip.Tissot@fco.gov.uk

GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

| Office of the Personal Representative on Non-Proliferation |
| --- |
| Rue de Loi, 175 |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Tel.: (32-2) 281 80 44 |
| Fax: (32-2) 281 81 55 |
| E-mail: secretariat.wmd@consilium.europa.eu |
| www.consilium.europa.eu/wmd |

Office of the Personal Representative on Non-Proliferation

Rue de Loi, 175

B-1049 Brussels

Tel.: (32-2) 281 80 44

Fax: (32-2) 281 81 55

E-mail: secretariat.wmd@consilium.europa.eu

www.consilium.europa.eu/wmd

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

| Directorate General for External Relations |
| --- |
| Mr Luigi Narbone |
| Tel.: (32-2) 298 73 21 |
| Fax: (32-2) 295 05 80 |
| E-mail: luigi.narbone@ec.europa.eu |

Directorate General for External Relations

Mr Luigi Narbone

Tel.: (32-2) 298 73 21

Fax: (32-2) 295 05 80

E-mail: luigi.narbone@ec.europa.eu

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