Introductory text
United Kingdom
Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/2010
of 17 December 2018
in support of countering illicit proliferation and trafficking of small arms, light weapons (SALW) and ammunition and their impact in Latin America and the Caribbean in the framework of the EU Strategy against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons and their Ammunition ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
On 19 November 2018, the Council adopted the EU Strategy against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons and their Ammunition entitled ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’ (‘the EU SALW Strategy’), which sets the guidelines for Union action in the field of small arms and light weapons (‘SALW’).
(2)
The EU SALW Strategy notes that the Union will look for synergy with the relevant American states and regional organisations to reduce the illicit proliferation and trafficking of SALW, with a view to reducing armed violence and criminal activity.
(3)
Latin America and the Caribbean have been identified as regions seriously affected by proliferation and excessive accumulation of SALW.
(4)
At the 2016 Sixth Biennial Meeting of States on the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All Its Aspects (‘the Programme of Action’), which was adopted on 20 July 2001, all UN Member States reaffirmed their commitment to prevent the illicit trafficking of SALW. States welcomed the progress made with regard to the strengthening of sub-regional and regional cooperation and committed to establish or strengthen, where appropriate, such cooperation, coordination and information-sharing mechanisms, including the sharing of best practices, in order to support the implementation of the Programme of Action.
(5)
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the Secretariat for the Inter-American Convention against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials (CIFTA) and is coordinating and implementing regional initiatives combatting illicit SALW in the Americas.
(6)
The Union wishes to finance a project on reducing the threat of the illicit spread and trafficking of SALW and their ammunitions in Latin America and the Caribbean,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: