Eighth Annual Report on the implementation of 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 (2002/589/CFSP)

During 2008 the EU continued to promote the issue of Small Arms and Light Weapons in all multilateral forums and in its political dialogue with third countries, including during the successful Biennial Meeting of States to the 2001 UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms which was held in New York from 14 to 18 July 2008. The EU was pleased that Biennial Meeting of States led to the adoption of a substantial report, the content of which genuinely provides for improving and strengthening the implementation of the UN Programme of Action. In 2008 the Council of the European Union also reached an agreement on the inclusion of a SALW element in agreements between the EU and third countries and on a reference text. The EU continued to give strong encouragement to progress in strengthening controls on the transfer of SALW and their ammunition. In 2008 the EU celebrated the 10th anniversary of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, which made a significant contribution to that objective.

Assistance to third states in combating the destabilising accumulation of SALW continued to be provided by the EU, including through the implementation of several Joint Actions and through projects supported by EU Member States on a national basis.

In the framework of its cooperation and development policy, the European Commission (EC) continued to play a substantive role in the implementation of the European Union Strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons. In 2008, the EC continued its activities in the field of SALW through its geographical instruments as well its as thematic instruments.

The European Council on 15 and 16 December 2005 adopted an EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition. This document underlines the need for consistent EU policies in the areas of security and development, while fully exploiting 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 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 2008.

I.A. Cooperation, coordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies.

These are the contributions provided by EU Member States so far concerning their national efforts in enhancing cooperation between administrative and law enforcement agencies in 2008:

Austria has further fostered cooperation, coordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies. During 2008, interministerial meetings between the Ministry of European and International Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Economics and Labour and the Ministry of Defence were held.

Bulgaria has further fostered interinstitutional cooperation, coordination and information exchange in order to counter the accumulation and spread of SALW as well as to prevent illicit trafficking.

The Danish Ministry of Justice administrates 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 of Justice. This provision also includes small arms and light weapons.

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

The Danish police have 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 from 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.

Police prefectures organise illegal weapons and ammunition disposal campaigns from citizens every year. The aim of these campaigns is to reduce the amount of illegal weapons and ammunitions and to raise the security of society. All collected and seized weapons are destructed.

The threat to peace, security and development posed by the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons including their ammunition continues to be a matter of grave concern. Germany is committed to a comprehensive approach to combat, and to contribute to ending, the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons as well as their ammunition. In the pursuit of this objective, Germany as a Member State of the European Union is guided by the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition, which was adopted by the European Council on 15-16 December 2005.

Regular meetings of the national coordination group for SALW issues were organised by the Federal Foreign Office. These meetings bring together arms and export control experts from ministries, administration, the military arms control and verification unit, non-governmental organisations and industry in order to address questions related to small arms and light weapons including their ammunition. The group discusses inter alia German policy with regard to SALW in international and regional forums, 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 the cooperation between administrative bodies and law enforcement agencies at the national level. These covered newly enacted legislation, but also reviews of the practical functioning of existing legislation. Training measures were regular part of such efforts.

Dealing with the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons is of ultimate priority for the Hellenic Ministry of Interior and the Hellenic Police Headquarters. Every possible effort is made for the reduction, if not elimination, of such a phenomenon and the safeguarding of civilians sense of security. In 2008, an objective had been set under the context of anti-crime policy, to increase the number of seizures of illegally possessed, trafficked firearms (SALWs), through the implementation of specially targeted action plans by competent police agencies. Our efforts focus primarily on two directions:

Our Agency operates an electronic database which is the National Central Authority for information exchange. It may promptly receive and deliver information on all legitimately transferred arms and is being constantly updated for any changes effected in their possession status. All searched for weapons are being recorded into such database, for the purpose of their being seized or used as evidence in criminal proceedings — lost — stolen — unlawfully removed — found, for the purpose of their being identified in case of tracking. Such a database provides with the history of each weapon, from its import to its last legal holder (registry of weapons). Furthermore, the said database facilitates information exchange for SALWs with other Authorities in Greece and abroad. We have established a minimum monthly number of controls to all enterprises legally activated in the trade of weapons. Such information is cross checked with the information recorded in the electronic database kept in our office. The applicable provisions of Law 2168/1993 and the Ministerial Decisions rendered by authority thereof are strictly implemented, as they constitute the fundamental legislative framework of Greece which governs weapons. Such law has been harmonised with Directive 91/477/EEC and the SCHENGEN Treaty. Sometimes, it also provides for stricter rules (Article 15 of Law 2168/1993 and Article 272 of the Greek Penal Code, as amended by Law 2928/2001). Legitimate movement of small arms and light weapons in Greece (import, export, trade and transit) is subject to a license issued by the competent agency, as he case may be, according to the provisions of Law 2168/1993.

Cooperation with other prosecuting agencies of Greece (Port Police, Customs, Agency for Special Controls) and military authorities is excellent. Information is exchanged with the competent authorities where from imported or transferred weapons originate.

As cooperation at bilateral regional and international levels is considered to be of utmost importance for the prevention and suppression of the illegitimate trafficking in weapons from one country to another, Greece has entered into transnational agreements of police cooperation with its neighbouring countries and takes part in international — regional and bilateral organisations (Adriatic Ionian Initiative, SECI — Europol — Interpol).

Transportation vehicles and persons entering the country are controlled at the established entrance points. There are ongoing controls made in land and sea borders (in cooperation with port authorities) for the prevention of illicit import of weapons by people who are illegally entering Greece. Any cases discovered are thoroughly investigated for the identification and elimination of criminal organisations that may be activated in the illegitimate trafficking in weapons. Special measures are taken in areas presenting serious problems of arms trafficking, possession and usage, in cooperation with local communities and authorities.

In the context of Greece’s representation in international and regional organisations and initiatives, our officers participated in 2008 and are currently participating during this year, in meetings and seminars, where SALW matters are being discussed. As far as firearm designation is concerned, you are advised as follows:

We attach hereto a table with arms seized during 2008 by the Hellenic police agencies, either as items/means of committing punishable acts or as found arms.

Such arms constitute evidence for the files of proceedings drawn up and their future shall be considered by the competent court at the hearing of each case, according to Article 16 of Law 2168/1993.

Since 2000, an ad hoc technical working group on small arms and light weapons, including representatives of relevant ministries, law enforcement agencies and manufacturers associations meets at least once a year. The group provides an appropriate forum to discuss the most relevant aspects of the issue, including major developments at the national and international level.

In the 2008 meeting, discussions were mainly focused on preparation of the 2008 Third Biennial Meeting of the States Parties of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and on the implementation of the multilateral instrument on marking and tracing. As a result of the stringent approach of the Italian law in the fields of SALW production, marking, record-keeping, stockpiling and transfer, the group considered the level of national implementation of main international initiatives aimed at struggling illicit SALW trafficking as fully satisfactory.

In 2008, Italian armed forces destroyed more than 50 000 small arms and light weapons, identified as surplus, on the Italian territory.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as the licensing authority for exports of military and dual-use equipment, led the introduction of the Control of Exports Act 2008. This legislation served to update Irish law in this area, and introduced controls on brokering and technical assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs liaised throughout the year with the Department of Transport to ensure that they are fully aware of the risk of illicit arms being transported by air.

With respect to legislation on small arms and light weapons (SALW) there have been no modifications after the report issued for the year 2007. The reports on export of military equipment were provided on regularly.

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 have been published in the Mémorial, the official gazette of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A review of current legislation is still under way.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the task of liaising with other States and organisations for the purposes of international coordination in the area of small arms and light weapons.

Efforts to foster cooperation, coordination and exchange of information between administrative and law enforcement agencies in the combat against the accumulation and spread of SALW, as well as on the prevention of illicit trafficking have proceeded. Regular meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, Portuguese Intelligence Services and the Ministry of Finance have taken place in 2008.

The Slovak Republic has in place appropriate legislation and necessary administrative measures to control production, possession, marking, and trade in small arms and light weapons. Effective export control system enables the authorities to identify and monitor movement of weapons at any time and throughout territory of Slovakia.

This system effectively supports combating illicit trafficking in conventional arms in the Slovak Republic.

In Slovenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains the coordination authority for the implementation of the UN Programme in this field. The Ministry is also responsible for Slovenia’s foreign policy activities with regard to SALW. As an EU member, Slovenia must be engaged in certain activities of international and regional organisations. The Ministry of the Interior controls the exports and imports of SALW and the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the control over the import and export of SALW used for military purposes.

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 2008, the police seized considerable amounts of SALW that individuals tried to carry across the territory of the Republic of Slovenia. Specifically, there is an increase in criminal offences committed under Article 310 of the Penal Code or Article 307 of the new Penal Code: 160 criminal offences were committed in 2008 and 129 in 2007 (illegal manufacture of and trade in weapons or explosive materials). Some operations were carried out by using undercover investigation methods and techniques, including apparent purchase of weapons and explosive materials, secret tracking, eavesdropping on conversations or means of communication, the use of secret undercover police operatives. Most weapons were seized classically — during a house search, the inspection at the state border or during the control of road transport. Many individual items of weapons were seized from narcotic drug dealers during house searches or organisers of illegal migration. However, this is not a classical trade in weapons but armament for personal protection. Persons involved in smuggling are in transit through Slovenia or travel or smuggle weapons along the so-called Balkan route from south-eastern Europe to the EU.

In 2008 Spain made significant progress in implementing the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in All Its Aspects, and in applying the international instrument on the marking and tracing of SALW.

Activities to promote a culture of peace and to establish additional standards to improve control have been carried out, and established links with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Interpol, regional organisations (OSCE, NATO) and non-governmental organisations (both national and foreign) have been strengthened.

The various ministerial departments responsible for coordinating action and exchanges of information in the area of SALW and ammunition have held regular meetings on these issues, in particular in the Permanent Interministerial Commission on Arms and Explosives (CIPAE, two meetings a month), the Interministerial Regulatory Board on Foreign Trade in Defence and Dual-Use Goods (JIMDDU, one meeting a month), and the working groups responsible for detecting and combating trafficking in SALW.

Coordinated by the Central Inspectorate for Arms and Explosives of the Guardia Civil, the competent Spanish authorities seized 185 illegal firearms (137 from Schengen countries and 48 from non-Schengen countries) in 2008. At present, the Spanish authorities are holding a total of 278 382 firearms of all kinds, of which 23 769 have already been selected for auctioning and 30 048 for destruction.

In 2008, the authorities carried out 22 738 inspections, leading to the launch of proceedings in 716 cases against manufacturers, gunsmiths, individuals or security companies; of those cases, 207 related to firearms and 529 to explosives. Customs staff also carry out regular activities at airports and ports in the context of detecting offences in these areas.

With respect to legislation on small arms and light weapons, Sweden has made no modifications in 2008.

During 2008 a total of 1 001 small arms were destroyed by the Ministry of Defence.

I.B. Newly enacted legislation, reviews of the practical functioning of existing legislation

A number of Member States introduced newly enacted legislation in 2008 or are in the process of reviewing existing legislation. Details of these are as follows:

Arms export controls have been greatly improved by the Foreign Trade Act 2005 (FTA) and the subsequent Foreign Trade Regulation of 2006. This implementing legislation harmonises the granting of licences with 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 with the EU Common Military List. Under the FTA the items of the EU Common Military List are subject to a license requirement in export, transit and brokering. Intra-community trade with goods of 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 in the following cases: if such assistance contradicts restrictive measures on the basis of EU Common Positions or EU Common Actions, OSCE Resolutions or binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council.

Furthermore, a regulation passed by the Minister of Defence enumerates war material and other weapons which are taken into consideration for destruction. The list is built upon definitions of the EU and the OSCE.

The law on domestic ownership and transfer of weapons of 8 June 2006 that seriously increased the threshold for gun ownership after a shooting incident was amended in order to improve its applicability on 25 July 2008.

The export, transit and retransfer (re-export) of SALW are regulated by Ministerial Order 257/2005 (The Defence (Regulation of Exports of Military Equipment Order) of 2005), as amended by Ministerial Order 165/2008. The aforementioned Order is aligned with the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and the relevant Council Declaration of 13 June 2000 (2000/C191/01). The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism is the competent authority for the issue of all export, retransfer (re-export) and transit licences for SALW. The Customs and Excise Department is responsible for the enforcement of the controls 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 the European Union Directive 91/477 EC as amended and the Common Position 2000/C191/01.

The manufacture of certain SALW is regulated by Law 113(1)2004 (Part III, Article 7(1). Based on the law, the manufacturing is prohibited by citizens or residents in the Republic, unless they hold a valid license for this purpose, which is issued by the Chief of Police. This specific license 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, the investigation whether holding the license is not dangerous to himself, the government and the public order and finally, on the condition that he has passed a governmental medical examination. The illegal manufacture, possession, stockpiling and trade of SALW is governed by Law 113(1)2004. The law provides for sentences up to 15 years imprisonment and/or EUR 42 715 fine 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.

On 1 October 2004 a new act containing rules on transportation of weapons between third countries (i.e. other 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, arms brokering. According to this act it is prohibited without a license from the Minister of Justice, or the person authorised by the Minister, as a broker to negotiate or arrange 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, as 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 individuals residing abroad. The act implements the European Council Common Position 2003/468/CFSP of 23 June 2003 on the control of arms brokering.

In 2007 the Danish National Police carried out an intensive and targeted investigation in relation to rockers and gang members, among other things in order to uncover illicit possession of weapons. During these confrontations between different gang members — or persons associated hereto — weapons were used on several occasions.

In 2007 the National Centre of Forensic Services received a total of 949 weapons for examination. The Danish National Police is not in possession of information on the amount of weapons that have been confiscated from gang members.

By means of Directive 2008/51/EC of 21 May 2008, Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (for the internal market) has been brought into line with the United Nations Firearms Protocol. In the light of the clarifications provided by this Directive, France has begun to address the measures it should take, both to comply with the Directive and with a view to French accession to the United Nations Firearms Protocol.

Germany has taken concrete steps in order to implement the provisions of the UN Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the provisions of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons. With the resulting amendments to the Weapons Act, the marking of arms and the duty of book-keeping are extended also to essential parts of weapons and, as a consequence, tracking the origins of weapons is facilitated at international level.

With regard to the EU Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment, the relevant provisions will be incorporated accordingly into national legislation of the Republic of Latvia.

In 2008, altogether 3 217 legal firearms were seized from natural entities in Latvia.

According to relevant provisions of the Criminal Law, 270 criminal procedures have been brought. 30 crimes were resolved and 5 criminal groups dealing with illegal firearms in Latvia were arrested.

In the Republic of Latvia arms and weapons seized from natural and legal entities are melted down.

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:

Such authorisation may be subject to the condition that the arms in question may be used for purposes 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.

An application for export has to be lodged with the prohibited firearms department, attaching a photocopy of the acquirer’s identity document.

Applicants must also attach either — for EU Member States — a document confirming the prior agreement of the State of residence of the acquirer, or — for countries outside the EU — a copy of the authorisation from that State, with a view to the acquisition of the firearm.

The authorisation which is issued then allows the acquirer physically to collect the firearm in question from the seller and to transport it to the Luxembourg border. Given that such authorisation is only valid within Luxembourg, the acquirer must make enquiries of his State of residence about any authorisation necessary under the law of that State.

An export licence must also be sought from the licensing office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the framework and in application of 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 territories.

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.

The method used in Luxembourg (by its army, police and customs) is destruction 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.

In 2008 Malta enacted the Arms Act 2008, which regulates firearms practice permits for minors. This legislation enables the Commissioner of Police to issue permits for the practice of shooting with airguns, long firearms with smooth bore barrels and muzzle-loading firearms on a licensed shooting range, by minors.

With respect to legislation on small arms and light weapons, the Netherlands has made no modifications in 2008.

The Law of 22 June 2001 on economic activity in the sphere of manufacturing of and trade in explosives, arms, ammunition and technology of military or police use (Journal of Laws No 67, Item 679 as amended) was modified to harmonise the Polish regulations with the law of the European Union. Moreover, as a consequence of the ratification by Poland in 2006 of the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, the obligation of marking of plastic explosives by producers has been introduced.

Amendments were introduced to the Law of 21 May 1999 on arms and ammunition (Journal of Laws No 53, Item 549 as amended) but they had no effect on the issue of manufacturing, trade and marking of arms.

With respect to other legislation on small arms and light weapons, Poland has made no modifications.

Poland continued its activities in the field of outreach to industry by organising events such as seminars in order to promote and disseminate the legal framework and best practices on export controls among companies.

Law 5/2006 that establishes a legal framework for the production, repair, import, export, transfer, stockpiling, circulation, trade, licensing, acquisition and possession of small arms and light weapons, their components and the respective ammunition is currently being amended. The purpose of the review is to establish heavier sanctions for cases of possession of illegal weapons and for crimes committed with arms.

Illegal manufacture, acquisition, possession, transportation, stockpiling and trade (including brokering) of SALW are already criminalised in Law 5/2006 (Articles 86.o and 87.o) and sanctions may vary from fines to imprisonment up to 10 years.

During 2008, a total number of 2 500 firearms were apprehended by the police and 1 105 were destroyed.

Although there are new initiatives in process amending/changing the primary legislation, in the year 2008 no changes have been made regarding the legal framework.

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 and with respect to legislation on SALW in Slovakia, no modification has made. Slovakia has started a preparation of the General pardon for all persons that have in possession illegal SALW in 2008. Persons under the terms of the pardon can register any SALW at the Police Authorities with no penalty at all, or prosecution and no need to explain the origin of weapon and manner of acquisition. The goal of the Government’s efforts is to give a chance to persons keeping unregistered and hidden weapons from, for example, World Wars I and II.

The Government decree of 21 February 2008 refreshed the membership of the National Point of Contact for SALW. The national coordination body for SALW joined other relevant government bodies in order to create and coordinate national policies in the SALW sphere. The national SALW POC consists of the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport and the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency.

Law 53/2007 of 28 December 2007 on control of foreign trade in defence materials and dual-use goods came into force on 29 January 2008. It refers to and complies with all the provisions of the Programme of Action and resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as well as the additional protocol to the Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (adopted by the UNGA on 31 May 2001) on the illicit trafficking in firearms, their parts and ammunition, known as the ‘United Nations Firearms Protocol’.

In accordance with Law 53/2007, Spain has adopted a new regulation on foreign trade in defence equipment, other equipment and dual-use goods and technologies, namely royal decree (Real Decreto) 2061/2008 of 12 December 2008, which develops the implementing rules in Law 53/2007.

The main changes as regards the previous regulation, Real Decreto 1782/2004 of 30 July 2004, may be summarised as follows:

The decree improves reporting on the brokering of defence equipment and hunting weapons, their parts and components. This change is the main innovation of Law 53/2007 and the regulation building on it.

The Trade in Goods (Categories of Controlled Goods) Order 2008 introduced a three tier risk-based structure for trade controls that included SALW. This was consolidated into the Export Control Order 2008 (effective from 6 April 2009), which also consolidated existing export controls and trade control legislation, extended UK trade controls (including additional controls on the provision of transport for SALW) and adjusted the scope of the legislative exemptions in relation to goods in transit and transhipments via the UK.

These are the contributions from EU Member States concerning their efforts and initiatives in the area of training of their national administrations.

Austria has raised awareness for the problems posed by SALW during its ‘open day’ in the Ministry for European and International Affairs on 26 October 2008. Posters and a documentary movie informed the public about the horrendous impact of the illicit trade in SALW.

As in previous years, in 2008 Spanish law enforcement agencies continued to organise courses and workshops on the criminal law framework for firearms and explosives and the application of information technology to their control. Regular seminars were also organised to raise awareness of the legal framework applicable to preventing and combating illicit trafficking in SALW, with the goal of maintaining and enhancing the knowledge of police officers responsible for these issues.

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills also undertook an awareness campaign on export controls for UK industry with a series of nationwide seminars and training courses for over 300 organisations. This was coupled with on-site training to 28 companies.

The 2008 annual report to Parliament on French arms exports will be submitted during the autumn of 2009. It will present national control practices and international exercises in the export control field in which France participates. It will contain an annex on SALW deliveries by France. The annual publication of this report bears witness to the continuing effort at transparency on these issues vis-à-vis civil society and the international community which France has been making for several years now.

II.A. Measures to combat the accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons, and to prevent illicit trafficking in conventional arms

II.A.1. Financial, technical and other assistance given to relevant programmes and projects conducted by the UN, ICRC and other international or regional organisations and NGOs

In the framework of its cooperation and development policy, the European Commission plays a substantive role in the implementation of the European Union Strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons. In 2008, the EC continued its activities to fight the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of SALW and their ammunition through its geographical instruments (most prominently the European Development Fund) as well its as thematic instruments.

The specific objectives of the project are to ratify and fully implement international, regional, and trans-regional arms control instruments; build capacities and strengthen national and regional institutions and state agencies responsible for the control of SALW, as well as develop a system for information exchange and improve borders and customs control; strengthen and increase the capacities of civil society organisations to promote arms control; strengthen and implement a trans-regional process for SALW controls.

The European Commission also supported a large number of broader Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programmes e.g. in Uganda, Sudan, Central African Republic, Nepal which directly or indirectly deal with the overall reduction of violence, the possession of arms, the restructuring of armed forces and the question of reintegration of ex-combatants into society.

During 2008, the EC participated actively in the work of international and regional organisations on SALW related issues, notably those organised by the UN, the OSCE or the AU.

SALW was included in the agenda of a number of the EU’s regular political dialogues with third countries, including from Africa, eastern Europe and south-eastern Europe.

During 2008 the EU Council reached an agreement on the systematic inclusion of a SALW element in legally binding EU agreements with third countries. An agreement on the use of this element and on a reference text to be used during negotiations was also reached. EU Troika meetings at expert level (Global Disarmament and Arms Control) were held and the issue of SALW figures prominently in the agenda. This regular dialogue takes place under each EU Presidency with the US, Canada, Japan, China, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Brazil. Specific SALW Troikas were also organised on an ad hoc basis.

II.A.2. Financial, technical and other assistance by the EU Member States given to SALW projects

In addition to projects funded by the EU through the different instruments at its disposal, Member States have financed a wide range of SALW related projects bilaterally. Member States have provided so far the following contributions to this report:

In 2008, Austria has continued to contribute to various assistance projects conducted by UNODA in support of the UN process against SALW, placing a major focus on projects in Africa.

In 2008, Estonia contributed financially to the organisation of the workshop on the implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, which was held in Rio de Janeiro from 11 to 12 June 2008.

In 2008, Estonia contributed financially to the NATO/PfP Trust Fund ‘Georgia II: destruction of missile and rockets’.

In the period 2006 to 2008, France financed three programmes relating to small arms and light weapons via the UNDP:

France also contributed to the activities budget of RACVIAC-CSC (EUR 30 000) in 2008.

Germany contributes to projects and activities in the field of SALW including their ammunition in the frame 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 2008 are listed below:

Hungary contributed the sum of EUR 14 000 to the NATO PfP Trust Fund project for the destruction of SALW and Manpads in Ukraine.

In 2008, Italy granted financial contributions for international initiatives aimed at curbing illicit trafficking of SALW, such as Ecowas relevant SALW control Programmes and UNDP/Bosnia and Herzegovina Small Arms Control Project.

Whenever necessary, Italian Armed Forces participating in multilateral peace-keeping and peace-enforcement operations collected and/or seized and destroyed small arms and light weapons.

During the period 2005-2008 the Lithuanian led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghowr province in Afghanistan collected 1 710 pieces of SALW (451 pieces in 2008) and destroyed over 3 300 pieces of explosive ordinance.

In 2008, the Netherlands has (among other things) contributed to the following institutions, projects and activities in the field of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and ammunition.

The Polish-Georgian consultations on arms and dual-use goods export control took place in Tbilisi in May 2008. Polish delegation of ministries of foreign affairs and economy was received by deputy ministers of defence and foreign affairs of Georgia. The working sessions of the meetings were attended by the representatives of Georgian ministries of foreign affairs, defence, justice, and economic development. Two main issues were discussed:

The abovementioned consultations were followed by a two-day (17-18 December 2008) Legal Review Seminar organised in Warsaw for the representatives of export control authorities of Georgia in cooperation with Austria, Germany, Slovenia and Sweden as part of the EU Cooperation within the EU Long-Term Project (LTP) in the export of Dual-Use Goods. The seminar was aimed at presenting international and national legal framework in the field of export control in trade in dual-use goods and arms, with emphasis on SALWs.

Whenever necessary, Portuguese armed forces participating in peace keeping or peace enforcement operations have apprehended and destroyed small arms and light weapons.

The Slovenian government established the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) as a humanitarian and non-profitable organisation in 1998. ITF helps countries in south-eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia in solving landmine problems and helps landmine survivors with physical and socioeconomic rehabilitation. After more than 10 years of experience, ITF will also expand the programme of help to the SALW action role. ITF is currently implementing a one-year SALW risk awareness project in Albania amounting to over EUR 200 000 and expects results to be visible in the next few years.

In 2008 Spain made a voluntary contribution of EUR 2 000 000 to support a Unicef project on the reintegration of child soldiers. The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) made other voluntary contributions to finance projects for firearms victims, their families and communities of origin.

In 2008 Spain made a voluntary contribution of EUR 400 000 to support the following projects in the OSCE politico-military dimension:

Two Spanish parliamentarians have habitually taken part in the Parliamentary Forum on SALW ever since its inception in Spain in October 2002. Spain has made the following voluntary contributions to the Forum: EUR 30 000 in 2007 and EUR 80 000 in 2008.

In December 2005 Spain signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Executive Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) pledging to contribute a sum of EUR 1 000 000 to the organisation’s activities and programmes during the period 2006 to 2008, of which EUR 750 000 was to be devoted to support for the programme of SALW control in West Africa. In 2008, EUR 250 000 were therefore committed to that end.

Spain also provided financial support for various activities by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-LiREC) (EUR 275 000) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (EUR 600 000). These activities include the destruction of 42 537 SALW in the context of the multiannual firearms destruction process in Peru (2007 to 2009), the drawing up of a best practice guide for the destruction of firearms, the organisation of regional meetings, etc.

In 2008 Spain made voluntary contributions to the non-governmental organisations ‘Instituto de Enseñanza para el Desarrollo Sostenible (IEPADES)’ (Guatemala) (EUR 50 000) and ‘Small Arms Survey (SAS)’ (EUR 100 000), in support of their activities and research into the application of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.

In 2008, the MFA financed a study made by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which documented and analysed information on SALW transfers reported to UNROCA for 2003-2006. The findings of the study were presented at the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in July 2008 in New York.

Furthermore, Sida has supported a DDR programme in Uganda focusing on demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants who are children, with SEK 6 million for 2008-2010.

The Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) is engaged in maintaining and expanding an international network of DDR experts in which theoretical and practical knowledge and experience can be shared. The FBA is a member of the Integrated DDR Training Group, which is a group of training institutions with a common intention to develop and share training material based on the UN Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS). The FBA conducts yearly DDR courses in Sweden and supports DDR training in other countries and international missions, so also in 2008.

The contributions were part of wider efforts to help mainstream SALW controls and reduction measures into wider defence relations, foreign policy, security and development programmes.

II.A.3. Participation in or organisation of international seminars and conferences

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. Estonia also supports negotiations on international Arms Trade Treaty.

The representatives of the Government Agencies and Export Licensing Authority (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).

Ireland also participated in the work of the Geneva Process on Small Arms, an initiative of the Geneva Forum that involves governments, international organisations and NGOs in regular informal consultations to promote and monitor implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects’. Ireland provided funding to the Geneva Forum in 2008 as well.

Ireland provided funding to the International Action Network on Small Arms, an association of civil society organisations working to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

The first seminar under Joint Action 2008/230/CFSP promoting the control of exports of conventional arms and the principles of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports was organised by the Slovenian Presidency in Ljubljana on 4-6 May 2008; it was attended by government officials engaged in the arms export licensing process from six south-eastern European countries.

From 2008 to 2010 the Luxembourg authorities will fund 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. This project includes the establishment of a network of Central and West African NGOs working in the areas of peace culture, peace-making and combating the proliferation of light weapons. The total contribution to this project amounts to EUR 285 000.

Spain organised the ‘5th seminar on small arms and light weapons’ which focused on the future of the United Nations Programme of Action and on the draft Arms Trade Treaty, and which took place from 18 to 22 February 2008 in the Cartagena de Indias training centre (Colombia), as well as the first sub-regional seminar on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, which was held from 28 to 30 April 2008 in the La Antigua Guatemala training centre, in the framework of the training and assistance projects run by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

During the Slovenian Presidency, the Working Party on Global Disarmament and Arms Controls (CODUN) also launched discussions on the possible inclusion of a SALW element in political agreements between the EU and third parties.

II.B. Participation in the work of international organisations and regional arrangements in the field of conventional arms, especially small arms and light weapons

The EU continued its support for the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on SALW which remains the basis for efforts undertaken at the global level. EU statements were delivered at the Biennial Meeting of States held in New York in July which produced a final report adopted by a vote forced by Iran which abstained together with Zimbabwe. The report genuinely provides for improving and strengthening the implementation of the UN Programme of Action and will guide future EU action in this area.

The EU continues to give strong encouragement to progress in strengthening controls on the transfer of SALW and their ammunition. In 2008 the EU celebrated the 10th anniversary of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, which has made a significant contribution to that objective. The European Union also continues to attach great importance to the efforts made under the Wassenaar Arrangement.

The EU also remained fully engaged in the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) process. EU Member States actively participated in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) established by the United Nations Secretary General (seven EU member States were members). The EU continued to engage and encourage third countries to support the process. All Members States were among the 110 sponsors of the 63rd UNGA First Committee Resolution calling for the establishment of an open-ended working group in order to facilitate further consideration on the implementation of the recommendations of the Secretary General’s report, established with the assistance of the GGE.

With regard to small arms and light weapons, beside active cooperation in the EU frame-work, Austria participated actively in the work of international and regional organisations such as the United Nations, the OSCE, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Vienna-based export control regime Wassenaar Arrangement.

In 2008 Belgium funded several projects and organisations that worked on the issue of the destabilising proliferation of SALW:

During 2008 Finland continued to actively participate in the work of international organisations and regional arrangements on SALW related issues. In addition to the below listed activities, Finland participates in the meetings and drafting of reports of the EU, UN, OSCE, NATO/EAPC and Wassenaar.

Noting that there was not usually any mention of SALW in the European Union’s agreements with third countries with a CFSP dimension, France had an article on SALW adopted as one of the ‘political clauses’ during its Presidency of the Council of the EU. This decision should improve implementation of the EU strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (2005), and bears witness to the attention the European Union is paying to this threat.

During its Presidency of the Council of the EU, France supported the launch of a dialogue on SALW between the EU and China, intended to encourage a more responsible approach on transfers of light weapons and ammunition, particularly in Africa.

France proposed that the Working Party on Global Disarmament and Arms Control (CODUN) should consider the funding of projects to improve the implementation of the initiative to combat the illicit trafficking of SALW by air. This initiative provides for the setting up of exchanges of information, via SITCEN, on airlines which may be involved in such trafficking, and the definition of criteria for alerts.

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 multilateral mechanisms 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.

Lithuania regularly participated at the events in the field SALW organised by the UN, OSCE, EU and NATO. Lithuania has provided reports to the UN for the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All Its Aspects. Also, annual report under the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, UN Register for Conventional Arms, information on SALW imports, exports and SALW identified as Surplus and/or Seized and Destroyed under OSCE document of SALW and other relevant reports and inputs.

The Netherlands is a member of the core group of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, and participates actively in the implementation of the Declaration. In 2008, the Regional Conference for eastern and south-eastern European countries was organised with Dutch funding.

The Netherlands is a member of the OECD/DAC-INCAF network task group on Armed Violence Reduction, and is active to enhance a further integration of SALW/armed violence policy and programming into development frameworks and SSR programmes.

The Netherlands supports the UN PoA and relevant resolutions in the UNGA/1st Committee. Moreover, the Netherlands stimulates a better understanding of the SALW problem in its broadest sense by supporting research institutes such as the Geneva based Small Arms Survey, the Arms Management Programme of the ISS, and UNIDIR studies.

Austria took part in the Third Biennial Meeting of States Parties to the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW and co-funded African developing States’ participation in this meeting.

Austria continued to support the process to implement the UN Programme of Action on SALW and has submitted its national reports for 2007 and 2008 including information on marking and tracing to the UN Secretariat.

Belgium participated in the work of the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, on 14-18 July 2008 in New York.

During the debate on disarmament initiated by Costa Rica in the UN Security Council on 19 November 2008 Belgium supported the creation of an international arms trade treaty in order to enhance human security, in particular for the most vulnerable strata of the population, such as children.

During the 2008 reporting period Bulgaria participated in the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA) to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in New York, 14-18 July 2008. Prior to the meeting, Bulgaria presented its national report on the implementation of the UNPoA including information on marking and tracing.

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. In this respect, mention should be made of the National Report on the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA), which was submitted in July 2008, prior to the Third Biennial Meeting of the States Parties of the Conference to the UN 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 (14-18 July 2008). 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’.

The Czech Republic supported initiatives leading to promote and implement the ITI. As a part of this effort the Czech Republic voluntarily contributed CZK 1,8 million (USD 95 969) to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Consolidation of Peace through Practical Disarmament Measures, in order to assist the UNODA to organise a seminar on marking of SALW in Prague for participants from 15 Eastern, Southern, and Northern African countries. The Czech Republic will co-host this seminar and will present its technical expertise and experience at this seminar.

The Czech Republic has provided reports to the UN for the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All Its Aspects.

Finland acted as a member of the bureau of the Third Biennial Meeting of States (BMS3) on small arms and light weapons, held in New York in July 2008.

Finland has continued to promote international efforts to strengthen the control of arms exports and to limit proliferation of SALW.

Finland has from the beginning been a strong advocate for an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Finland was a member of the UN Group of Governmental Experts on ATT in 2008 and continues to participate in the work of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) in 2009. Finland is one of the bureau members of the OEWG.

The Third Biennial Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Programme of Action on SALW succeeded in adopting a report, following the failure of the 2006 meeting. Acting in its capacity as the Presidency of the Council of the EU, France conducted a coordination exercise amongst representatives of the Member States which made it possible to consolidate the EU’s position on the procedure selected, and to make a speech deploring recourse to a vote for the adoption of the report. Meetings in troika format also enabled certain States to withdraw their reservations.

France participated in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts established to consider further steps to enhance cooperation with regard to the issue of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus, which met three times in 2008 and published its report in UN document A/63/182.

In 2008, Germany actively participated in the Group of Governmental Experts which examined the feasibility, scope and draft parameters of an international Arms Trade Treaty. Germany has always advocated its restrictive national export control policy for military equipment on the international level. It therefore actively supports a globally applicable Arms Trade Treaty and promotes a comprehensive approach for such an instrument. The German Government will continue to seek support for a strong Arms Trade Treaty both from importing and exporting States.

Ireland participated in the work of the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held from 14-18 July 2008 in New York.

In 2008, Italy actively participated to the Third Biennial Meeting of States Parties to the 2001 UN Programme of Action (PoA) against the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, held in New York. In the framework of UNGA/1st Committee, Italy supported all the resolutions aimed at curbing illicit SALW trafficking and strengthening international cooperation in the field of SALW control.

In 2008, Italy was also a member of the UN Group of Governmental Experts on ATT and, in relevant debates, reiterated its support for concrete steps towards an International Arms Trade Treaty.

Lithuania chaired the United Nations Third Biennial Meeting of State Parties to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All Its Aspects which took place in New York on 14-18 July 2008.

In the First Committee at the 63rd UN General Assembly, Luxembourg co-sponsored or voted in favour of the various resolutions on SALWs and ammunition.

Luxembourg made a voluntary contribution of EUR 50 000 to the UNDP project: ‘Kosovo Small Arms Control Initiative’.

Malta submitted its 2008 national report on the implementation of the Programme of Action to UNODA. It has been the consistent policy of the Government of Malta not to manufacture or export arms, including conventional weapons and military equipment to other countries at all times.

Malta participated in the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider 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, held from 14-18 July in New York.

During 2008, Portugal took part in the Third Biennial Meeting of States Parties to the UN Programme of Action against the illicit trafficking of SALW and supported all resolutions on SALW and ammunition during the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly.

Portugal is strongly in favour of the process towards a legally binding instrument on conventional weapons (including small arms and light weapons) and reiterated, in different forums, its support for a comprehensive Arms Trade Treaty.

Portugal supports international efforts to foster transparency in the field of arms exports and therefore it submits, on an annual basis, data to the UN Register on imports and exports of conventional weapons, including on small arms and light weapons.

During 2008 Romania continued to participate in the work of international organisations and regional arrangements on SALW issues.

Romania was an active member of the tackling UN Group of Governmental Experts on Arms Trade Treaty in 2008 and continues to participate in the work of the Open Ended Working Group in 2009.

The Romanian National Agency for Export Controls, in a joint effort with UNDP’s European Union Small Arms Control (EUSAC) Programme in Republic of Albania, continued in 2008 the workshop for Albanian Government officials from the Ministry of Defence — State Export Control Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Slovenia worked on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action (PoA) and submitted the National Report on the implementation of PoA to the UN Secretariat.

During the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of the 2008, a specific meeting of the Working Party on Global Disarmament and Arms Controls (CODUN) focused on the issue of SALW and their ammunition. The meeting held in June allowed for better coordination and coherence with regard, in particular, to project work and technical cooperation under the various EU funding instruments. Representatives from NAMSA and SEESAC informed Member States of the latest developments concerning their projects and exchanged views on prospects for future cooperation.

Implementation of the 2001 UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons ranks high on the list of Slovenian priorities in the field of disarmament. The EU preparation of the Biennial Meeting of States held in New York in July 2008 included a comprehensive EU debate and an exchange of views with partners.

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 and trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.

In the field of SALW, Spain has participated in all the work of the UN, the OSCE, the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Parliamentary Forum on SALW.

Spain has provided support for the initiative promoted by various NGOs through the ‘Control arms’ campaign and has participated in the Group of Governmental Experts selected by the United Nations Secretary-General to consider the feasibility, scope and parameters of a future treaty on the international arms trade (ATT).

Sweden, notably through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), continued during 2008 to provide support for a number of institutions, projects and activities aiming to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects as contained in the UN Programme of Action.

In 2008, Sweden participated in the work of the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the 2001 UN Programme of Action (PoA) to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in New York. Sweden supports the PoA and all relevant resolutions in the context of UNGA/1st Committee.

Sweden reports annually to the voluntary UN Register on Conventional Arms, and since 2007 also on SALW exports.

Participated in the Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All Its Aspects the UK pushed for more action on illicit brokering. The UL also supported the implementation of national plans and regional and international agreements to control SALW, such as the UN PoA.

At the 63rd UN General Assembly the following resolutions were co-sponsored by Austria:

At the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly Bulgaria co-sponsored GA resolutions and decisions related to SALW, including: ‘Assistance to states for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them’; ‘The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’; ‘Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region’.

It also supported UNGA resolution ‘Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional levels’.

The issue of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus continued to be a major concern.

As a follow-up to UN GA Res 61/72 establishing a Group of Governmental Experts, Germany together with France tabled UN GA Res 63/61, once again entitled ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus’. The text of the 2008 resolution endorsed the report of the Group of Governmental Experts in its paragraphs 6 and 7. In addition to strongly encouraging States to implement the recommendations of the Group of Governmental Experts, the Resolution provided for a process aiming at the development within the United Nations of technical guidelines for the stockpile management of conventional ammunition, which would be available for States to use on a voluntary basis, in order to assist States in improving their national stockpile management capacity, preventing the growth of conventional ammunition surpluses and addressing wider risk mitigation. In order to prepare for the work of the Group of Governmental Experts in 2008, Germany had supported a number of studies and regional workshops on stockpile management issues.

At the 63rd Session on UN General Assembly Latvia supported all the resolutions on SALW and ammunition as well as conventional arms.

We have supported and co-sponsored the following resolutions at the session of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly:

Malta participated in UNGA First Committee work on the Arms Trade Treaty. Malta, voted in favour of the resolution.

In the First Committee at the 63rd UN General Assembly, Spain co-sponsored the following resolutions, directly or indirectly relating to SALW and their ammunition: resolution 63/66: ‘Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them’; resolution 63/44 ‘Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional levels’; resolution 63/72 ‘The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects’.

The EU continued its support for the adoption within the OSCE, as standard elements, of the Wassenaar Arrangement’s ‘Best Practices to Prevent Destabilising Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons through Air Transport’.

Austria supported the further implementation of OSCE documents on SALW as well as on stockpiles of conventional ammunition. Within the framework of regional cooperation, Austria supplied the relevant information on SALW and the national marking system to the OSCE and its member countries.

The joint initiative launched in 2006 by France and Belgium within the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on the role of air carriers in the illicit trafficking of SALW led in 2008 to the adoption of the ‘decision on introducing best practices to prevent destabilising transfers of small arms and light weapons through air transport’ by the OSCE. This document originated from the Wassenaar Arrangement where it was adopted in 2007 under Belgian plenary chairmanship provides a range of measures that can be taken on the national level in order to prevent illicit and destabilising transfer of SALW via air carriers.

Bulgaria continued to implement the OSCE document on SALW adopted in November 2000. Bulgaria presented national updates to the information exchange on SALW aspects as established by the OSCE document.

Cyprus also provides information to the OSCE, concerning national practices and procedures for the export of Conventional Arms and Related Technology (FSC.EMI/409/08, 9.10.2008), on Conventional Arms Transfers (FSC. EMI/409/08, 9.10.2008) and on SALW (FSC. EMI/428/08, 26.11.2008).

The Czech Republic supports the work undertaken in the field of SALW by the UN and the OSCE.

During the Finnish Presidency of the OSCE in 2008 Finland aimed at enhancing both OSCE’s normative work as well as project work on small arms and light weapons. During the Finnish presidency the OSCE adopted an important decision on small arms at its Ministerial Council meeting in Helsinki on 5 December. The decision, which is politically binding to all 56 OSCE participating States, requests them to establish, or reinforce, a legal framework for lawful brokering activities within their national jurisdiction by the end of 2010. The decision also encourages all OSCE States to implement the International Tracing Instrument in their national laws and procedures. The Ministerial Council also tasked the organisation to hold a comprehensive review of its small arms commitments in 2009. All these measures will further contribute to minimising the risk of diversion of SALW into illegal markets and reinforcing export controls in respect of SALW.

In recognition of the impact of armed violence on social and economic development and the lack of development as a cause for armed violence, Finland has continued to be an active core group member of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development demonstrating the crucial importance of integrating questions of security and development.

The international initiative launched by France in 2006 to combat the illicit trafficking in SALW by air led to the transposition to the OSCE in October 2008 of the ‘Best Practices to Prevent Destabilising Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons through Air Transport’ adopted in December 2007 within the Wassenaar Arrangement.

In the frame of the OSCE, Germany continued in 2008 to contribute in particular to the development of OSCE Best Practice Guides in the area of SALW and conventional ammunition. Germany continues to attach high importance to the unique mix of standard setting activities, exchange on best practices and project work concerning SALW and their ammunition within the OSCE.

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), as established by the OSCE document.

Luxembourg supports the OSCE on SALW, particularly by participating regularly in exchanges of information by drawing up national reports.

‘Elimination of small arms and light weapons in Tajikistan, including on the border with Afghanistan’.

In 2008, Portugal continued to actively implement the OSCE document on small arms and light weapons, adopted in November 2000. In that framework, Portugal presented national updates on aspects of SALW such as production, marking, export controls, brokering and destruction techniques.

Slovakia adheres to the EU CP 944/2008 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 her export control policy, Slovakia observes the OSCE Principles on Arms Transfers.

In the framework of the OSCE, Sweden continued to implement the OSCE document on small arms and light weapons, adopted in 2000, and participated in the information exchange on SALW, as established by the OSCE document.

The UK submits annual data to the UN Register of Conventional Arms and OSCE on the import and export of conventional weapons, including SALW.

In the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Austria gave financial support to a NAMSA-led project for the destruction of SALW in Albania. Ongoing NAMSA projects in 2008 which had been supported by Austria in previous years include the destruction of SALW and ammunition in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Furthermore Austria continued to build up special expertise in the field of Physical Security and Stockpile Management SALW/CA. Austria supported the two multinational SALW Training Courses conducted at the NATO School in Oberammergau with instructors and participants, including a practical exercise in an Austrian ammunition depot. Austria also participated with instructors in three multinational Physical Security and Stockpile Management Training Courses in Africa and on the Balkans.

Germany regularly supports the SALW/CA policy and implementation courses at the NATO School.

In 2008 Latvia contributed EUR 15 000 to NATO PfP Trust Fund for territory clearance and destruction of unexploded ammunition in Azerbaijan. Latvia also supported NATO PfP Trust Fund project for demilitarisation of rockets and neutralisation of unexploded remnants of war in Georgia with the amount of EUR 36 666.

At the beginning of 2008 Finland was invited to the Advisory Board of the Ecowas Small Arms Control Programme’s (Ecosap).

In 2008 Bulgaria chaired the Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary and the Wassenaar Arrangement Outreach Group.

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.

During the French Presidency of the EU, France hosted a two-day seminar in Brussels (on 16 and 17 October 2008) on conflict prevention and combating illicit trafficking in small arms. This seminar, which was organised on the initiative of the Fondation Madariaga and the Folke Bernadotte Academy, with the support of the French Presidency, the GSC, the European Commission and the European Peace-building Liaison Office (EPLO), brought together about a hundred representatives of civil society, NGOs, research centres, the GSC, the Commission, international organisations and EU governments.

France participated in the seminars of the Multinational Small Arms and Ammunition Group (MSAG). The first was held in Vienna from 2 to 5 June 2008, organised by Austria, and the second, organised by France, was held in Paris from 25 to 27 November 2008. Each of these seminars brought together about a dozen delegations from State arms control verification agencies in the OSCE.

In the framework of the MSAG, in September 2008 the French Ministry of Defence took part in an evaluation visit to Ethiopia on security measures for stocks of arms and ammunition, in the context of a project by the UK Ministry of Defence. France is planning its participation in a similar mission to Mali in the framework of a project by the Swiss Ministry of Defence.

In the area of awareness-raising, also in the MSAG framework, France also took part in two seminars in Montevideo (Uruguay) run by the United States in February and March 2008. It spoke on the marking and tracing of SALW at a seminar organised by RACVIAC in Zagreb on measures to prevent and combat trafficking in SALW.

In the training field, France provided the NATO school in Oberammergau with an instructor for the course on awareness-raising at political level on the issue of SALW.

France funded a study on national systems for the control of the transport of SALW by air in Europe and on likely possibilities for improvement, particularly in terms of intra-European and international cooperation (follow-up conducted by the strategic affairs delegation of the Ministry of Defence).

The Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Mr Bernard Kouchner, provided the preface to the 2008 annual report by the Small Arms Survey.

Germany participates in the OECD DAC INCAF — International Network on Conflict and Fragility (formerly OECD DAC CPDC — Conflict Peace and Development Cooperation) and supports actively the INCAF approach on Armed Violence Reduction and Prevention (AVR). AVR is an emerging set of practices that builds on existing frameworks, approaches and lessons learned in areas such as conflict prevention, peace building, crime prevention and public health (like SALW Control; SSR, Crime/Drug Prevention etc.).

Germany is regularly involved in symposia of the Multinational Small Arms and Light Weapons and Ammunition Group (MSAG). The MSAG is an apolitical, informal, multinational assembly that shares information and views concerning Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition (CA) issues amongst participating nations. The MSAG serves the participating states with a forum for discussing any issues and experiences concerning the practical implementation of the respective states’ future, present or past initiatives as a platform for exchange of information and coordination in the field of SALW and CA.

Germany continued to cooperate with the League of Arab States (AL) by providing assistance to SALW-related work at various levels. Support was given for meetings of SALW focal points from the countries of the League. A study visit to Berlin, Vienna (OSCE) and Geilenkirchen (German Armed Forces Verification Center) was organised for SALW focal points in October 2008.

Latvia provides annual national reports on its efforts in combating illicit trafficking of SALW to UN, OSCE, and NATO.

In 2008 Latvia participated in various international conferences and sessions with regard to conventional arms issues held by organisations mentioned above. Latvia supports negotiations on an international Arms Trade Treaty.

Experts within National Agency for Export Controls actively participated; presented and shared the Romanian export controls practices and policies in the context of international forums (Wassenaar Arrangement, OSCE, and UN) and NGOs (Saferworld).

National Agency for Export Controls organised in September, 2008 the workshop ‘Towards an Arms Trade Treaty’ with Romanian defence industry on the occasion of the Black Sea Defence and Aerospace Exhibition and Conference.

During 18-20 March 2009, National Agency for Export Control, EURISC Foundation and Saferworld organised in Bucharest a regionally focused seminar ‘Mitigating the risk of diversion of international transfers of small arms and light weapons (SALW)’. The participants discussed the dynamics of the international SALW trade and responses to the problem of illicit transfers, challenges and opportunities of SALW transfer within the Black Sea region.

Representatives from the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) on exports of conventional arms and the dual-use goods and technologies (Head of the WA Secretariat), United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency Programme for Ukraine, EU Border Assistance Mission to Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and Southeast European Cooperative Initiative for Combating Trans-Border Crime (SECI Centre) provided comprehensive overviews on international, multilateral and regional cooperative efforts to address SALW illicit proliferation in the Black Sea region.

Spain is a member of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee task team on armed violence and poverty reduction and as such helps to increase the attention paid to the links between SALW and armed violence in development aid programmes.

Slovakia implements all international obligations adopted by the United Nations and the OSCE. Slovakia participated actively in the work of these international and regional organisations and export control regimes as well. Slovakia is also a member State of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-use Items.

As appears from the Swedish contribution to the Joint Annual Report for the year 2007 the Swedish Coast Guard participated in ‘Project Crossfire’, an intelligence project targeting smuggling of firearms into and between the countries of the Baltic Sea Region initiated on the basis of the Operative Committee of the Chiefs of Governments Task Force against organised crime. During 2008, the Coast Guard remained active in this function and the development of the project is satisfactory.

In 2008, the Swedish Armed Forces participated in the work of the informal Multinational Small Arms and Ammunitions Group (MSAG) in order to further develop cooperation.

ANNEX

LIST OF SALW FOCAL POINTS

AUSTRIA

Wolfgang Banyai

Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs

Department II.8 — Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Minoritenplatz 8

1014 Vienna

Tel. +43 (0) 501150 — 3354

Fax: +43 (0) 501159 — 3354

E-mail: wolfgang.banyai@bmeia.gv.at

BELGIUM

Mr Werner Bauwens

Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-proliferation

Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs

Karmelietenstraat 15

1000 Brussels

Tel. +32 25013710

Fax +32 25013822

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

BULGARIA

Security Policy Directorate

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria

2, Alexander Zhendov Street

1040 Sofia

Tel. +359 29482244, +359 29482480

Fax: +359 29482037

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

CZECH REPUBLIC

Non-proliferation and Disarmament Unit

United Nations Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Loretanske Namesti 5

118 00 Prague 1

Tel. +420 224182324

Fax: +420 224182026

E-mail: osn_sekretariat@mzv.cz

CYPRUS

Panayiotis Papadopoulos

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Political Affairs Division — Department of Multilateral Affairs and International Organisations

Tel. +357 22401152

Fax: +357 22661881

E-mail: ppapadopoulos@mfa.gov.cy

DENMARK

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department of Security Policy

Tel. +45 33920693

Fax: +45 33921804

E-mail: sp@um.dk

ESTONIA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department of International Organisations and Security Policy

Division of Armament and Strategic Goods Control

Tel. +372 6377100

Fax: +372 6377199

E-mail: armscontrol@mfa.ee

FINLAND

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Political Department

Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

PO Box 420

FI-00023 Government

Finland

Tel. +358 916005

Fax: +358 916056066

E-mail: pol-20@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 143174070

Fax: +33 143174952

E-mail: guillaume.habert@diplomatie.gouv.fr

GERMANY

Federal Foreign Office

Division 241

Conventional Arms Control

Werderscher Markt 1

10117 Berlin

Tel. +49 3018174272

Fax: +49 30181754272

E-mail: 241-0@diplo.de

GREECE

Hellenic Ministry for Foreign Affairs, D1 Directorate for UN and International Organisations and Conferences

3, Acadimias Avenue

Athens 100 27

Mr Loukas Tsokos (second Counselor),

E-mail: ltsokos@mfa.gr

and

Mr Stylianos Zachariou (scientific advisor)

E-mail: szachariou@mfa.gr

Tel. +30 2103682540

Fax: +30 2103682483

HUNGARY

Mr Attila Juhász

Desk Officer

Department for Security Policy and Non-proliferation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Budapest

Tel. +36 14581678

Fax: +36 14575039

E-mail: atjuhasz@kum.hu

IRELAND

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section

Department of Foreign Affairs

St Stephen’s Green

Dublin 2

Tel. +353 14082392

Fax: +353 14082383

ITALY

The Italian national point of contact for small arms and light weapons is

Counsellor Giovanni Pugliese

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

General Department for Multilateral Political Cooperation, Disarmament and Non Proliferation Desk

Tel. +39 0636912287

Fax: +39 063235927

E-mail: giovanni.pugliese@esteri.it

The Italian national point of contact for small arms and light weapons ‘traceability’ is

Ms Maria Paravati, Ministry of the Interior

Department of Public Security

General Administration Office

Tel. +39 0646548234

E-mail: maria.paravati@interno.it

LATVIA

Arms Control and Non-proliferation Division

Security Policy Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Tel. +371 67016456

Fax: +371 67227226

K. Valdemara Str. 3, Riga, LV-1395, Latvia

LITHUANIA

Arms Control and Terrorism Prevention Division

Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Tel. +370 52362682

Fax: +370 52362519

E-mail: dovydas.spokauskaus@urm.lt

LUXEMBOURG

M. Claude Faber

Ministère des Affaires étrangères

5, rue Notre-Dame

2240 Luxembourg

Tel. +352 24782421

Fax: +352 221989

E-mail: claude.faber@mae.etat.lu

MALTA

Mr Andrew Seychell

Assistant Commissioner of Police

Police Force General Headquarters

Floriana

Tel. +356 21247800

Fax: +356 21247922

E-mail: andrew.seychell@gov.mt

THE NETHERLANDS

Desk Officer for Small Arms and Light Weapons

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Peace building and Stabilisation Unit

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PO Box 20061

2500 EB The Hague

Tel. +3170 3484688

Fax: +3170 3484486

E-mail: EFV@minbuza.nl

POLAND

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department of Security Policy

Tel. +48 225239704

Fax: +48 226285841

E-mail: dpb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl

PORTUGAL

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Disarmament and Non- Proliferation Unit

Largo do Rilvas

1399-030 Lisboa

Tel. +351 213946549

Fax. +351 213946037

E-mail: dsd2@mne.pt

ROMANIA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nineta Bărbulescu

Director

OSCE, Asymmetrical Risks and Non-proliferation Department

Tel. +40 213196857

Fax: +40 213192363

E-mail: nineta.barbulescu@mae.ro

Alternate:

Mihail Dumitru

First Secretary

OSCE, Asymmetrical Risks and Non-proliferation Department

Tel. +40 213196857

Fax: +40 213192363

E-mail: mihail.dumitru@mae.ro

National Agency for Export Controls

Paul Pasnicu

Director

Conventional arms division

Tel. +40 213057202

Fax: +40 213111297

E-mail: ppasnicu@ancex.ro

SLOVAKIA

OZOG — Dept. of Disarmament, Arms Control and Global Challenges

MFA of the Slovak Republic

Hlboká cesta 2

Bratislava

The Slovak Republic

Tel. +421 259783621

Fax: +421 259783629

E-mail: ozog@mzv.sk

SLOVENIA

Mr Jure Zerovec

Security Policy Division

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Presernova cesta 25

SI-1000 Ljubljana

SLOVENIA

Tel. +386 14782256

Fax: +386 14782229

Mr Gregor Kaplan

Security Policy Division

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Presernova cesta 25

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel. +386 14786710

Fax: +386 14782229

SPAIN

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación (MAEC)

Dirección General de Asuntos Estratégicos y Terrorismo

Subdirección General de No Proliferación y Desarme

Luis Gómez Nogueira

Jefe de Área de Desarme

Calle Serrano Galvache, 26

28071 Madrid

Tel. +34 913791759

Fax: +34 913948678

E-mail: luis.gomez@maec.es

SWEDEN

Department for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

SE-103 39 Stockholm

Tel. +46 84051000

Fax: +46 87231176

E-mail: ud-nis@foreign.ministry.se

UNITED KINGDOM

Small Arms and Light Weapons Desk Officer

Counter Proliferation Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London

SW1A 2AH

Tel. +44 (0)2070081793

Fax: +44 (0)2070082860

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

External Relations — Directorate General

Mr Quentin Weiler

Tel. +32 22954548

Fax: +32 22994820

E-mail: quentin.weiler@ec.europa.eu

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION SECRETARIAT

Office of the Personal Representative on Non-Proliferation

Mr Fabio Della Piazza

Rue de Loi, 175

1049 Brussels

BELGIUM

Tel. +32 22818044

Fax: +32 22818155

E-mail: fabio.della-piazza@consilium.europa.eu

secretariat.wmd@consilium.europa.eu