Over 1,300 small arms and light weapons were destroyed by melting in Bulboaca within the 8th melting exercise since 2005, which was staged by the General Police Inspectorate with the support of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through the regional project SEESAC (South East European Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Centre). The project contributes to enhancing security and minimizing the risk of arms proliferation, IPN reports.
“In the last five years, consistent efforts have been made to improve the management of SALW in the Republic of Moldova by creating a new register of arms, operationalizing the arms marking mechanism, building a storehouse for arms removed from civil circuit and those seized by the Police and creation of evidence rooms in Balti and Cahul. All these with the financial support of the European Union, UNDP and SEESAC. In this way, I bring sincere thanks to our strategic partners who shoulder our development efforts and alignment with EU standards,” said Viorel Cernăuțeanu, Head of the General Police Inspectorate.
UNDP SEESAC, thanks to EU funding, has supported the Republic of Moldova, in its path toward the EU (alignment with EU acquis) to improve combatting of the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW).
“I reaffirm EU’s commitment to support further the Republic of Moldova in strengthening its security, its resilience, including through the fight against arms trafficking. Taking into account the impact of the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the experience from post-conflict situation in the Western Balkans, it is crucial to enhance our joint efforts as well as to continue preventing the illegal possession, trafficking and misuse of firearms for the benefit of all women, men and children in the country,” said Jānis Mažeiks, the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.
“This event shows the commitment of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to small arms and light weapons control, thus contributing to a safer region. The distribution and misuse of firearms affect the well-being of women and men, yet in different ways. Firearms misuse is particularly staggering in the context of domestic violence, with a disproportionately negative impact on women throughout the region. That is why it is essential to continue to understand and address the root causes of violence in our societies,” said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
Since 2005 until 2021, thanks to the EU and UNDP support, SEESAC destroyed by melting 18,354 pieces of weapons.
