SIPA

The European Union donated 20,980.00 euros of specialised equipment through the EU Support of SEESAC Disarmament and Arms Control Activities in South East Europe Project (EUSAC), as part of the project’s third component “Improved Marking and Tracing of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)”. The equipment was handed over by Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in BiH, Richard Wood, Senior Advisor and Head of Rule of Law Section at Delegation of European Union (EUD) to Bosnia and Herzegovina with their associates, who visited SIPA today.

„I am grateful for this valuable and for SIPA very important equipment. The equipment will strengthen SIPA technical capacities and contribute to improvement of investigations against illicit trafficking in weapons and military equipment”, Perica Stanić, SIPA Director said. He also pointed out that technically strengthened SIPA will contribute to a more efficient fight against terrorism and creation of a safer environment for both the citizens of B&H and citizens of the countries in the region and EU member states.  

The Head of Rule of Law Section at Delegation of European Union to BiH Richard Wood said that the European Union recognised the fight against proliferation, smuggling and illicit trade of firearms as a strategic priority to be addressed by all EU actors. He also said that the new equipment would improve the performance of the B&H law enforcement authorities and significantly aid non-proliferation of firearms.

UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Sinanoglu said that UNDP and EU remain strongly committed to increasing technical capacities of the law enforcement authorities in B&H and the wide region and that the donation would result in strengthening the cooperation and expertise of the region to fight the trafficking and illegal possession of firearms and at the same time reduce a threat to peace and sustainable development.  

The meeting also discussed all aspects of SIPA operations and their role in the security system of B&H as well as SIPA’s efforts to fight the most complex types of crime.