State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and Internal Trade and Telecommunications Stеvаn Nikčеvić opened in Belgrade the meeting which is part of the Project of Information Exchange between the countries in the region in the field of arms export controls. The conference organized by the Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in South Eastern and Eastern Europe (SEESAC – South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons), within the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), was attended by the representatives of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Serbia as the host.

The process of information exchange between the countries in the region in the field of arms export controls began in 2009.

The Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in South Eastern and Eastern Europe formed a data base available to the authorized representatives of the countries and providing information on registered businesses which perform export and import of weapons, and provide brokerage services and technical assistance. It also includes examples of some patterns that are used by the countries in the region, as well as cases of “good practice” in the application of export controls.

This type of information exchange is an important tool in strengthening the mutual trust between the countries in the region which provides a greater degree of international security in the field of arms export control.