Article 1

With a view to fighting the illicit trade in firearms and SALW in the Western Balkans and reducing the risk of illicit arms entering the Union from the Western Balkans region, the Union shall support Western Balkans partners with the implementation of the ‘Regional Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW/firearms and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024’, pursuing the support of the Western Balkans partners in reaching the goals set out in the Roadmap, namely:^f1

1. (1)

   By 2023, ensure that arms control legislation is in place, fully harmonized with the EU regulatory framework and other related international obligations and standardized across the region.

2. (2)

   By 2024, ensure that arms control policies and practices in the Western Balkans are evidence based and intelligence led.

3. (3)

   By 2024, significantly reduce illicit flows of firearms, ammunition and explosives (FAE) into, within and beyond the Western Balkans.

4. (4)

   By 2024, significantly reduce the supply, demand and misuse of firearms through increased awareness, education, outreach and advocacy.

5. (5)

   By 2024, substantially decrease the estimated number of firearms in illicit possession in the Western Balkans.

6. (6)

   Systematically decrease the surplus and destroy seized small arms and light weapons and ammunition.

7. (7)

   Significantly decrease the risk of proliferation and diversion of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

In addition to the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, this Union action shall provide support for countering illicit arms trafficking in the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.

In order to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Union shall, by means of this Decision:

The project's geographic scope is the Western Balkans, with direct project beneficiaries being Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo^f2, Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In addition, the project will seek to continue support to the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus, which are dealing with similar SALW control challenges, through the transfer of knowledge and experiences gained and best practices developed in the Western Balkans since 2001.

The action resulting from this Decision will build upon the basis created by the achievements under the previous Council Decisions in support of SEESAC.

A detailed description of the project is set out in the Annex to this Decision.