Germany donates additional 250,000 euros to prevent illicit arms trafficking

October 25, 2018

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On 25 October 2018, H. E. Mrs. Christiane Hohmann, Ambassador of FR of Germany to BiH, and Mrs. Sezin Sinanoglu, UNDP Resident Representative in BiH, signed an agreement granting additional 250,000 euros for the continuation of activities within the Countering Illicit Arms Trafficking (CIAT) Project, which is implemented by UNDP.

Over the past year, thanks to the training and equipment secured through CIAT, several successful actions have been carried out in which illicitly traded arms and drugs were seized. The outstanding results of the CIAT Project contributed to the FR Germany Government's decision on the continuation of CIAT Project until 2021.

“I am pleased to know that this ensures the continuation and further development of successful activities within the CIAT Project. Countering illegal arms trafficking aims to improve the security of citizens of BiH, as well as people throughout Europe”, said H. E. Mrs. Christiane Hohmann, Ambassador of FR of Germany to BiH.

An additional 250,000 euros will ensure the rollout of training for 400 BiH Border Police officers, procurement of specialized arms detection equipment, as well as for the strengthening of communication among institutions involved in supressing illicit arms’ trafficking, at the state and lower levels.

“The continuation of support of the FR Germany's Government to the CIAT Project represents an important milestone in strengthening community security in BiH. This also marks the continuity of professional standards’ and praxis improvement in domestic agencies thereby bringing the country closer to the EU”, said Sezin Sinanoglu, UNDP Resident Representative in BiH.

With this agreement, the total continuing support of FR Germany to strengthening BiH Border Police and other agencies to combat illicit arms’ trafficking since 2017 amounts to 800,000 Euro. All police officers patrolling the BiH border (ca. 1,500) will have received training on detection of illicit arms, ammunition and explosives by the end of 2018. Training will be conducted using the most sophisticated equipment for detection donated through CIAT, the value of which is 346,000 Euro. The CIAT Project also supports the work of the Border Police in six communities identified as the most vulnerable to illicit arms’ trafficking.