Weapons confiscated and voluntarily surrendered were destroyed at an event organized on Thursday in the village of Bulboaca, Anenii Noi district. A total of 2,177 units of firearms taken out of civilian circulation were melted down as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and security, the General Inspectorate of Police said, quoted by IPN.
Interior Ministry State Secretary Alexandru Bejan emphasized Moldova's commitment "to ensuring responsible management of small arms and light weapons, thus contributing to the safety of citizens and the stability of the entire region".
"A safer society starts with concrete measures and today's exercise contributes directly to reducing cross-border threats and risks. Through such initiatives, we strengthen national security and set an example of best practice in the fight against organized crime," said Alexandru Bejan.
The Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, Máté Csicsai, pointed out that "every weapon destroyed today represents a potential life saved, a community protected and a contribution to a more peaceful and prosperous future for our children". "The EU has long supported Moldova in these efforts. Relations between the EU and the Republic of Moldova are stronger than ever, and this is also true for our cooperation on combating the misuse and trafficking of firearms", underlined Máté Csicsai.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Seher Ariner, noted that this event is "an important step towards reducing the surplus of firearms, preventing any possible proliferation of these stockpiles and directly contributing to national and regional security".
Seher Ariner added that "reducing the availability of firearms is also important for the protection of women, who are disproportionately affected by armed violence, particularly in cases of domestic and gender-based violence".
This is the ninth exercise organized by the General Police Inspectorate with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme. More than 13 000 small arms and light weapons have been destroyed in Moldova since 2005.
